better for me to die then to live His fit groweth worse vers 9. I do well to be angry even unto death Yet his merciful Father takes not Jonah away in this fit but spared him and gave him grace to out-live this fit by repentance The children of God recover themselves by repentance and in an holy indignation revenge themselves upon themselves for their former distemper So David recovered from his fit of impatiency rebukes himself Psa 73.22 I was as a beast before thee 4. Cast not away thy confidence but walk by faith In a time of trouble the Just shall live by faith Hab. 2.4 The children of God in times of great and long troubles are subject to fits of unbelief Judg. 6.13 Gideon said O my Lord if the Lord be with us why then is all this befallen us Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt but now the Lord hath forsaken us And David Psa 116.11 I said in my haste All men are lyars Psa 31.22 I said in my haste I am cut off from before thine eyes Notwithstanding special promises of God to the contrary yet he had his own fit of distrustfull fear to be cut off by the hand of Saul Against such fits guard thy heart with submission to his divine wisedom in the training up of his own children He scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth Heb. 12.6 Consider his gracious wisedom ordering thy afflictions for thy souls good Heb. 12.13 He chastiseth us for our profit that we may be partakers of his holinesse But when thou hast such a fit of unbelief and canst not beleeve that the Lord in love chastiseth thee but punisheth thee in anger Remember the daies of old when the Lord heard thy praiers and thou hadst a sweet return of peace to thy soul In the experience of this say thou to thy heart as Sampsons Mother said to her Husband Manoah Judg. 13.23 If the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not have received a burnt-offering and a meat-offering at our hands Look into thy own heart and if thou in a time of great trouble fear to offend him and desire to obey thou maist and shouldst rest on him as thy God Isa 5.10 Who is amongst you that feareth the Lord and obeyeth the voice of his servant that walketh in darknesse and hath no light let him rest in the Name of the Lord and stay upon his God Though thou see not any appearance of deliverance yet rest on the power of God submit to his will and use no unlawful means for thy own delivery So did the three children Dan. 3.17 Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and he will deliver us out of thine hand but if not Be it known unto thee O King we will not serve thy Gods The third particular to be considered is the way how the Apostle attained this contentation of minde in all estates of life I have learned saith he and I am instructed in the original it is I am instructed in a mystery or secret The mystery and secret of contentment in whatsoever estate Doct. The mystery of contentment is taught only in the School of Christ It is not taught from principles of nature is taught only in the School of Jesus Christ The truth of this Doctrine will appear if we consider 1. how it is not taught 2. how it is taught It is not taught from any principles of corrupt nature because this being alike in all the children of Adam must be uniform in its operations and so all men should be taught this contentment but the contrary is seen in many male-contents and murmurers under their present condition in the world Corrupt nature frets at every thing displeasing to flesh and bloud until it be healed by the grace of regeneration But where this secret fretting is there can be no true contentment Neither can it be taught by the moral precept of Natural men It is true heathen men Nor by morall precepts of natural men specially the Stoick Philosophers have spoken somewhat to this purpose yet they did not teach men to be content in whatsoever estate They did commend that horrid sinne of self-murther in the case of dis-contentment They compared mans life to a banquet that he might willingly leave when once he were full and to a stage-play that he might leave when once he were wearied And Seneca cals such a death a gate to liberty This is not to teach contentment in every estate As they failed fouly in their precepts so in their practise of contentment It is true some heathens appeared content in their sober and course diet of living Fabricius that Noble Romane Senator was content to feed upon his dish of Roots and he answered to these Legats who would have corrupted him with vast Sums of gold to betray his own Countrey that a man who was content to feed on Roots needed not their gold yet they were not content in every estate they could not endure disgrace in the world for their honour was their Idol Lucretia and Cato of Vtica could not bear their disgrace with any contentment but made away themselves in their violent fits of discontentment Augustine And August lib. 1. de Civit. Dei cap. 20. saith well That it is but a weak spirit that cannot comport with the want of health in the body or with the want of the applause of the people Next the truth of this Doctrine appeareth It is taught 1. By the Word if we consider positively how this mystery of contentment is taught It is taught in the School of Christ 1. By the Word of God 2. By the example of Christ 3. By the Spirit of Christ 1. Is is taught by the Word of God It is called the word of Patience because it commands us to be patient Rev. 3.10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience saith the Angel of the Covenant to the Church of Philadelphia I will also keep thee from the hour of Temptation c. It is taught by the word of precept which commandeth us to be godly and where godlinesse is it hath with it contentment 1 Tim. 6.6 Godlinesse with contentment is great gain That is godlinesse which hath alwaies with it contentment is great gain 1 Tim. 6.8 Having food and raiment let us be therewith content Heb. 13.5 Be content with such things as ye have It is taught by the word of threatning 1 Cor. 10. Neither murmure ye as some of them also murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer he threatens them from the fearfull destruction that fell upon murmurers against the Lords dispensation Jude ep 15 16 17. Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints to execute judgement upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him These are murmurers complainers It is taught fully by
that betwixt the husband and the wife Eph. 5.23 the Believer is espoused to Jesus Christ by Faith we give our consent to him when we say with heart and mouth as the Spouse Cant. 2.16 My beloved is mine and I am his It is the duty of the husband to use his utmost endeavours for protecting his wife from perishing David took no rest until he had rescued his wives out of the hands of his and their enemies 1 Sam. 30. But our Lord and husband Iesus Christ surpasseth all men both in affection and power for the protecting of his Spouse Therefore one espoused into him cannot fall away finally for the relation is perpetual he is a Lord and husband for ever of his Spouse To wit the Church of Believers Obj. Obj. Although this or that person once espoused to Christ may fall away finally yet Christ hath a Spouse still to wit other Believers who persevere Answ Answ The Spouse of Christ is made up of so many individual persons and if those one after another may perish then were it possible that the whole might perish for the whole subsists and is preserved in the particulars and so it were possible that the Lord Jesus Christ might be a King without Subjects a Shepheard without a flock a Head without a body and a Husband without a Spouse Obj. Obj. It is true so long as a soul remains espoused to Christ it cannot perish but when men divorce themselves from Christ by unducifulness and impudent lewdness in sinning they are no more his Spouse Answ Answ 1 1. A soul once espoused to him is never divorced from him It is true in that great day there will be a separation of hypocrites who gave their names but not their hearts to him Then will the Lord say to them depart from me It will not be a divorce but a nulling of their counterfeit communion with Christ Then will he declare there was never a consummate marriage betwixt him and them No union nor communion in the Spirit Then will our Lord disclaim them before man and Angel saying I never knew you Math. 7.23 he never knew them so that he approved them for his own people But a soul receiving Christ by Faith and once united to him will never be separate from him Rom. 8.35 Whosh all separate us from the love of Christ c. 2. Our Lord and Husband keepeth the heart of his Spouse in a dutiful affection to himself If a husband were able to restrain the affection of his wife from strange lovers he doubtless would and should do it that in so doing he might prevent all cause of divorce but our Lord hath promised in the Covenant of Grace to over-aw our hearts by his fear that we turn not away in our hearts from him after strange lovers Jer. 32.40 I will put my fear in their hearts that they shall not depart from me 3. It is true the sins and gross failings of regenerate men do for a time interrupt a communion in the sense and comfort of our Lords love and of their own peace and joy Then their Lord and husband frowns upon them withdraws the light and comfort of his countenance as an husband greatly displeased with his wife doth estrange himself for a time from her So the Lord hides his face for a time from them yet their sins do not turn off his heart from them Psal 89.32 33. I will visit their transgression with the rod nevertheless my loving kindness will I not take utterly from him yea he invites them to repent and notwithstanding their soul miscariages he promiseth to receive them Ier. 3.1 Thou hast plaid the harlot with many lovers yet return to me again saith the Lord. The fourth Reason is taken from the efficacy of Christs Prayer and the gracious acceptance it had alwayes with God Reas 4 The efficacy of Christs Prayer in the behalf of Believers Those for whom our Lord did pray that they might persevere to the end such do certainly persevere because the Father heareth him alwayes Iohn 11.42 But our Lord prayed for perseverance to Believers Iohn 17.15 I pray that thou shouldest keep them from the evil of the world For this he prayed not only in the behalf of the Apostles but also for all who should believe in his Name Ioh. 17.20 The fifth Reason is taken from that inviolable conjunction of the links in that golden chain of salvation Reason 5 The links of the chain of salvation inviolable Rom. 8.30 Whom he called he justified and whom he justified them he also glorified from hence we have this reason Those whom God will glorifie in heaven do certainly persevere to the end such as are once justified will be glorified for the Apostle to declare the certainty hereof expresseth it in the time past saying he hath gloriâ—ed as the like expression of a thing certain is found 1 Ioh. 3.14 We have passed from death to life because we love the brethren The sixth Reason is grounded on the Believers victory over the world he that overcometh the world Reas 6 falleth not away from the state of Grace because he could not fall away except he were overcome by temptations in the world But a regenerate man overcometh the world Rom. 8.37 1 Ioh. 5.4 It is a ridiculous exception to say the regenerate man is not overcome of the world so long as he is a Believer for that were asmuch as to say whosoever is born of God is not overcome of the world so long as he is not overcome which were a Tautologie If a Believer could become an Unbeliever by the prevalent temptations of Sathan from the world then should he be overcome of the world contrary to that assertion of the Apostle 1 Ioh. 5.4 This is the victory that overcometh the world even our Faith It is true Tertullian as Tertullian saith the renewed man is subject to many infalls of temptations from the world and to daily out-fall from indwelling corruption yet in the end the Believer in the strength of our Lords Grace doth prevail Rom. 8.37 In all these things we are more then Conquerours through him that loved us The seventh and last Reason is taken from that inseparable connexion betwixt adoption Reas 7 Adoption and the inheritance inseperable and the heavenly inheritance Those who are designed heirs of eternal life do persevere in Grace to the end But so it is that regenerate men being adopted Sons to God are designed heirs of eternal life Rom. 8.17 Gal. 4.17 If a Son then an heir of God through Christ Obj. Obj. It is true say some so long as they remain Sons they have a right to the inheritance but they may fall from the estate of Adoption and so be disinherited Answ 1. That one who is once a Son may afterward fall from the estate of Adoption Answ 1 is expresly contrary to that of our Lord Ioh. 8.35 The Son abideth in the house for ever But if he
ways that thou maist be found in thy Lords ways walking in his holy commandments blessed is the man whom his Master when he cometh sindeth so doing as thou watchest over thy own heart and ways so watch and long after the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and this longing for death out of a love to be with him is a sure evidence of a soul well prepared for death 2 Tim. 4.8 The Lord will give a Crown of righteousness not to me only but to them also who love his appearing To him with the Father and holy Ghost be all praise Amen Having spoken of the sting of death we proceed to speak the cure and of our deliverance from it Of the cure of death The Author of our deliverance and victory is the Lord Iesus Christ the Captain of our salvation The Apostle compareth death to a conquering and prevailing enemy which by its sting and weapon woundeth many with a mortal and incurable wound because such men as live to sin and die in their guiltiness go down by the first death to the second into that bottomless pit out of which there is no redemption Jesus Christ our Lord by the merit of his death alone hath overcome death Doct. Christ only hath overcome death for all that believe in him and of a bitter enemy hath made death a comfortable friend to all who believe in him for by him alone we get victory over death That we may understand this point the better we should consider in what respect Christ hath delivered us from death he hath not delivered us from our obligation and subjection to the necessity of dying for we see believers dye as well as unbelievers Neither hath he delivered us from being subject to sicknesses and alterations going before death David complains the pains of hell got hold upon him Psal 116.3 that is extream pains in his body and anxiety in his spirit Neither hath our Lord delivered from pain at the hour of death nor from the separation of soul and body by death But our Lord hath overcome death in these respects 1. In respect of 1. The sting of death In respect of the sting of death he hath taken away our sins and as an enemy is overcome when his deadly weapon is taken out of his hand so our Lord overcame death by taking away sin on his cross for sin is the sting of death Hos 13.14 O Death I will be thy plagues This the Apostle cites 1 Cor. 15.54 The Captain of our salvation upon the cross as in an open and pitched battel did spoyl principalities and powers Col. 2.15 One of these powers armed against us was death he took away our sins on the cross and so spoyled death of his weapon as a valiant Conquerour takes away the weapons from a subdued enemy 2. 2. The fear of death Jesus Christ our Lord hath freed us from the fear of death Heb. 2.15 he was partaker of flesh and blood he took upon him our nature that he might deliver them who through the fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage Our Lord by taking away our sins the sting and weapon of death doth deliver us from the fear of death for that which maketh an enemy fearful is his deadly weapon It is true sometimes men may fear even a naked enemy but they have no cause seeing he cannot harm them so some of Gods dear children at a time may exceed in the fear of death but they have no such cause of fear neither would they be so afraid 3. The curse of death if they were strong in the faith of Jesus Christ who hath disarmed death 3. Our Lord hath delivered us from the curse of death that to us the first death is not a dreadful passage to the second Ioh. 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life Rev. 14.13 Blessed are they that die in the Lord that henceforth they may rest from their labours As for weakness sickness pain and alterations in the body though our Lord hath not delivered us from them yet by the merit of his death and the grace of his Spirit he sanctifieth them to us and in a gracious providence turneth them to a good and spiritual use Our Lords death is like to that salt that purged and sweetned the naughty waters of Jericho 2 Kings 2.21 and like the meal cast into the pot wherein was the bitter herb 2 Kings 4.41 The death of our Lord hath taken wrath and the curse from out of all our afflictions and maketh them useful and profitable unto us Our Lord in a gracious dispensation turneth the bodily sickness of his own children into a spiritual medicine for purging an humorous and distempered soul for bringing down the tympany and swelling pride of the heart such as glory and boast in the beauty or strength of the body do see in time of sickness the weakness and vileness of the body and so being humbled learn to glory onely in the Lord and in the beauty of his grace in the inward man A sanctified sickness purgeth out of the heart covetousness the hearts Dropsie thirsting for more of this present world when the sick man seeth the emptiness of things worldly which cannot give him any ease in the time of his greatest need A sanctified sickness purgeth out unruly lusts which are as a burning feaver to the soul sickness takes down the body and grace sanctifying it turns it into a temple to the holy Ghost The wise Master-builder useth sickness as a sharp edged tool for polishing the body for the inhabitation of the Spirit that it may be a temple prepared In like manner our wise and merciful Lord though he deliver not his own children from death yet he maketh their death to be of singular good use to them It is a putting off of corruption that they may be clothed upon with incorruption The death of wicked men dying in their guiltiness is like unto a thiefs putting off his cloaths to the end he may be scourged but the death of the godly is like unto a childs putting off the old garment that he may put on the new that is incorruptible and will not fade but ever have a beautiful lustre It is for this their soul doth groan and long 2 Cor. 5.2 In this we groan earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven 4. The dominon of death As for deaths dominion and power over our bodies in the grave our Lord did take it also away by the merit of his death and declared his victory over and our deliverance from it by raising his own body and by loosing the bonds of death when our Lord awoke from death and stretched out the strength of his Godhead like Sampson he broke asunder those bonds as cords of flax Our deliverance from the grave will
THE MYSTERY OF CONTENTATION In and Through CHRIST LONDON Printed by A. M. for Joseph Cranford at the Signe of the Phoenix in St Pauls Church-yard 1655. TO THE Right Honourable and truly Religious Lady JANE Countesse Dowager of Marr Encrease of Grace and Peace Madam THE certain knowledge I have had for a long time of your devout affection toward the saving Truths of Jesus Christ the recent sense of manifold favours received at your hands both since and in the time I had the honour of employment for many years in that Noble Family and the experience of your gracious acceptance of my hearty endeavours unto your service makes me bold to offer to your Ladiship this part of my weak Labour as a small Testimony of my humble acknowledgement of much duty I do here present you with some refreshing drops from that Mystery of Contentment found in the Fulnesse of Jesus Christ In him is enough to supply all defects in the inward man and more then enough to supply all wants in the outward man which can befall us from the disappointing and discontenting changes in persons or things of this world yea it is of the Lords wisedome and mercy that our waies are hedged up with thorns that we may return to our first love Hos 2.6 7. That we may delight our selves in him and enjoy that solid satisfactory and unchangeable Contentment which in experience we perceive cannot be found in the empty insufficient uncertain and perishing comforts of the poor creatures Many times the Children of God enjoy most of himself when they enjoy least of the Creature As the Sufferings of Christ abounded in Paul so Consolation also abounded by Christ 2 Cor. 1.5 He had most of Gods presence when he had least of mans countenance 2 Tim. 4.16 17 Stephens face shined like an Angels when men looked on him like Devils Act. 6.15 Such enjoyments at such a time are no other as Jacob said from his experience of light arising out of darknesse then the gate of heaven a prelude on earth of that immediate Contentment we shall have in heaven in God alone without either opposition or interposition of the Creature Hence it is that the Children of God from the comfortable sense of this love have most vigour of grace sometimes under greatest outward pressures they can glory in tribulations Rom. 5.3 And sing praises to God in a prison Act. 16.26 Then have they enlarged spirits when their bodies are under restraint As the Sunne re-enforceth his light in the time of an Eclipse so the graces of the Spirit in the inward man are the more united and strengthened in an hour of darknesse from outward troubles The heat of our love as the Sunne-beam from the hard rock is the more reflexed toward the Sunne of righteousnesse from the cold and hard re-encounters of the Creatures In a day of prosperity our affections lagge and straggle here and there seeking Contentment in things farre below our happinesse and no waies proportionable to the vast desires of the spirit of man Therefore our God in great wisedome and mercy so orders the removall of worldly objects that our affections may be retired amazed and with greater vigour set upon himself that according to our measure of enlargement of heart our measure of delight and contentment in Christ may be the greater he dryeth up the brinks to the end we may seek and be filled with purer and sweeter contentment in the Fountain This earnest and first-fruits of absolute and full satisfaction abiding them in heaven makes the Children of God humble in their greatest prosperity and patient with much contentment in their greatest adversity Faith looks to things not seen It reckons all worldly advantages but losse and dung in comparison of the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord and also reckons that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with that glory which shall be revealed in us A look to things not seen preserves the soul from fainting at what we see or feel And though the Children of God be subject to some qualms of fear in time of storms and trials yet all these will be gone as a sea-sicknesse when our Lord shall bring us within the port of eternal salvation Madam You know both whom and what ye have beleeved As it 's his will ye should look to the glory set before you and endure the Crosse So that ye should also rejoyce in the hope of that Kingdom which cannot be shaken that eternal mansion above all possibility of decay and that Inheritance incorruptible which cannot be defiled and fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for you by his Intercession who purchased it by his merit That your Ladiship may be comforted guided and guarded by his Spirit in this life and brought into the possession of that full happinesse in the other life is and shall be the humble prayer of him who in all duty is obliged to shew himself Madam Your Ladiships most faithfull and devoted Servant WILLIAM COLVILL THE MYSTERY OF CONTENTATION In and Through CHRIST PHIL. 4.11 12 13. For I have learned in whatsoever estate I am therewith to be content I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and suffer need I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me AMongst the many sweet and excellent fruits of the Crosse of Christ Contentation most necessary for a beleever Contentation of minde to a Beleever in all conditions of life is one exceeding necessary Hereby a beleever becomes Master both of the little and great world Of unruly desires within himself and of temptations in the world without It makes him acceptable to all with whom he converseth and to be admired and envied by his enemies His contentation is their bane and discontent It is their torment they cannot spoil him of this little heaven when possibly they have robbed him of his earthly emoluments It is a treasure hid in his soul that he carrieth with him to the third heaven where an exceeding weight of glory and contentation with full satisfaction to our desires will be added to the little stock of our contentment here which as Jacob said of that gracious manifestation Gen. 28. is no other but the house of God and the gate of heaven For God al-sufficient dwels in the heart of a beleever and giveth contentation to the soul where he dwels though the out-let of his allowance here to a beleever be not comparably such as it will be in heaven where we shall see him face to face and be filled with God yet it is the gate of heaven it is the porch wherein we wait for an entrance to the Temple not made with hands wherein the measure of our contentation according to the full measure of our knowledge and enjoyment of God will be full and
that estate he desires to be freed from Answ 1. Answ It is against nature that any man should have contentment in affliction barely considered as affliction for nature cannot be content with any thing hurtfull to it but a renewed man is content in it as an act of his Fathers will and as a means of his spiritual good even as a sick Patient hath no contentment in the bitter potion of medicine as it is simply a bitter potion but yet he is content with it as an order from his skilful Physitian and as a means of his better health 2. He may both desire and also use the lawful means to be freed Ezechias both praied and also applied the Fig to the boyl 2 King 20. But our desires must be ever with a submission to Gods will As our Lord contented with his Fathers will praied If it be possible let this cup passe from me neverthelesse not as I will but as thou wilt Impatient and masterful desires of deliverance in a time of trouble cannot consist with true contentment but humble and submitting desires consist very well with it To God the sole Authour of true contentment Father Son and holy Ghost be all praise Amen The second act of the composure of his Spirit in all conditions of life is manifested in his solid and equal carriage I know both how to be abased and how to abound The sound beleever is not carried here and there like a willow with the contrary windes of prosperity and adversity Doct. The sound beleever in all estates is unmoveable but he remains unmoved as an Oak he is not up and down He is not like churlish Nabal in his prosperity and jollity despising his betters and in his adversity dejected with pusillanimity and dead like a stone 1 Sam. 25. But he is of a prudent solid and equal temper of spirit 1 Cor. 7.30 They that weep as though they weep not and they that rejoyce as though they rejoyce not The Children of God will not in a dissembling way counterfeit with their tongues and eyes with sorrow for publick calamities as cruell Ishmael the Sonne of Nethaniah did and yet have malice and revenge boyling in their hearts Jer. 41.6 Neither will they as the Pharisees disfigure their faces when there is no sorrow in their hearts Matth. 6. But they carry the variety of their condition in such a mystery of moderation that beholders cannot reade their condition in their countenance or outward behaviour This is that Christian moderation which the Apostle requires Phil. 4.5 Let your moderation be known to all men when we so moderate our affections in all occurrences that they exceed not Our joy in prosperity we moderate by the grace of humility Our sorrow in adversity by Christian Fortitude and Faith in God Psa 27.19 I had fainted unlesse I had beleeved to see the goodnesse of God in the Land of the living In the midst of all their worldly troubles their heart rejoyceth in God and in the midst of outward wants they enjoy the allsufficient God This inward joy moderates their outward griefs 2 Cor. 6.10 As sorrowfull yet alwaies rejoycing as having nothing and yet possessing all things for a beleever enjoys God who is all in all to him The Reasons of this Doctrine Reasons of a Christians equal carriage in all conditions That a sound beleever is of a solid and equal carriage in all conditions are 1. Because God puts his fear in the hearts of his own children Jer. 32.40 and fear to offend God by abuse of prosperity keeps the heart humble and stable he considers that a plentifull condition hath been a snare to many and therefore he rejoyceth in trembling he walks softly and circumspectly like a man in the midst of snares so also in adversity the fear of God moderates his grief that it exceeds not to impatience and unbelief he feareth the displeasure of God according to that Heb. 10.38 If any man draw back to wit by unbelief my soul shall have no pleasure in him 2. Faith keeps the heart in a solid and equal temper in a time of worldly prosperity faith looks to things eternal reserved in heaven for us this makes us have humble thought of those flying shadowes of worldly pleasures in comparison of that substance of glory that endures for ever faith also in adversity quiets and settles our spirits when we beleeve that our light afflictions which are but for a moment work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 2 Cor. 4.17 fear and faith are to the soul as ballast and sails to the ship the one keeps it from being overcarried in the top of the wave and the other from being swallowed up in the gulph between the waves so the fear of God keeps the heart of a beleever from being overturned by strong temptations in the top of his prosperity and assurance of faith like a main sayl carries the heart through the deeps of afflictions and keeps it from being overwhelmed This Doctrine serveth for reprehension of two sorts of people Vse 1 Reproof to such as know not how 1. To abound 1. Of such as know not how to abound How many are there that cannot carry the cup of prosperity even their pride is intollerable they trust in their wealth and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches Psal 49.6 Some abuse their prosperity to riot and excesse feeding themselves without fear of God that covereth their table Jude v. 12. Jam. 5.5 weep ye rich men ye have lived in pleasure on the earth and been wanton this is the worst sort of ingratitude to render to our God evil for his goodnesse like Jeshurun that waxed fat and kicked against his feeder Deut. 32.15 Some make not a right use of their plenty for a supply to the indigent Jam. 5.2 3. How lye rich men your gold and silver is kankered and the rust of them shall be a witnesse against you Some saucily despise those that are in adversity like Nabal in a festivall day 1 Sam. 25.10 Who is David there be many servants that now adayes break away from their masters c. they will give evil words but do no good works And others are insolent oppressors of the poor Prov. 22.7 The rich ruleth over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender he abuseth that to make it a burden which should be an ease and relief The mercies of the wicked are cruel Prov. 12.10 2. Of such as know not how to be abased 2. To be abased but miscarry in á day of adversity some are stupid and senselesse of the Lords visitation Isa 42.25 He hath poured upon Israel the fury of his anger and the strength of battell and it hath set him on fire round about and it burned him yet he laid it not to heart Some are in the other extream they faint in the day of adversity if riches decrease they droop like thin feathered
fowls in a rainy day if at any time they be blasted in their reputation they become pale and heartlesse as if they could not live but in the popular air Some turn impatient murmur and blaspheme God in the course of his providence so did the people of Israel in the wildernesse Exod. 16.2 3. They murmured and said Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt when we sat by the flesh-pots and when we did eat bread to the full for ye have brought us forth into this wildernesse to kill this whole assembly with hunger Others become desperate and blaspheme God in his truth and mercy as wicked Jehoram 2 King 6.33 Behold this evil is of the Lord said he what should I wait for the Lord any longer And such as are desperate of Gods help use unlawfull means for relief as Ahaziah 2 King 1. Therefore I would offer some considerations as so many bases to balance unstable souls Considerations to ballast unstable souls that they be not too much lifted up with prosperity nor too farre dejected with adversity First Against temptations in prosperity thou who art ingrateful to God and dost not by humble thankfullnesse acknowledge God thy benefactor consider this provokes jod to send a change in thy estate Hos 2.8 9. She did not know what I gave her corn wine and oyl and multiplied her silveâ— and gold and therefore will I return and take away my cornâ—â— the time thereof and my wine in the season thereof Secondly Thou who art proud and boastest in thy riches consider that pride and vain boasting is the moth of prosperity it is a swelling in the high wall whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant Isa 30.13 Pride in prosperity is an evident prognostick of a fall and change Dan. 4.31 While the word of pride and boasting in his prosperity was in the mouth of Nebuchadnezzar there fell a voice from Heaven saying O King Nebuchadnezzar to thee it is spoken the Kingdom is departed from thee here was a sudden and great change he that was lifted up above the ordinary condition of men in plenty and honour is brought down so low that he runs mad and wilde amongst the beasts of the Field and eateth grasse as oxen 3. Thou who abusest thy plenty to riot and excesse consider thy surfet and repletion will turn to a consumption and bring a change Prov. 23.20 Be not amongst wine-bibbers among riotous eaters of flesh for the drunkard and the glutton will will come to poverty and drousinesse shall clothe a man with ragges 4. Thou that art unmercifull to the poor in the day of thy prosperity consider this provokes God to bring a change on thy estate Prov. 11.24 There is that scattereth and yet encreaseth and there is that withholdeth more then is meet but it tendeth to poverty The rich Glutton gave not a crum and in hell he got not a drop of water to cool his tongue 5. Thou that in thy prosperity mis-knowest thy self and despisest the poor in his adversity thou sinnest against God who only of rich and free bounty hath made the difference between thy condition and his Prov. 14.31 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth but he that hath mercy on the poor happy is he 6. Thou that in thy prosperity abusest thy power to the oppression of the poor and addest affliction to the afflicted thou reproachedst God his maker who entitles himself the defender and judge of the poor and indigent Psa 72.4 Thou provokest God to deliver up thy estate into the hands of the spoiler Isa 33.1 Wo to thee that spoilest and thou wast not spoiled and dealest treacherously and they dealt not treacherously with thee when thou shalt cease to spoil thou shalt be spoiled Next I would offer these considerations both to direct and uphold a weak spirit in the day of adversity 1. Thou that art senselesse of Gods visitation consider that of Prov. 3.11 Heb. 12.5 Job 5.17 Despise not the chastening of the Lord sleight it not but take notice of it This froward senselesnesse provokes God to encrease thy troubles Lev. 26.18 As the Physician doth cure a Lethargy by casting the Patient into a Fever and by this means doth quicken his senses so the Lord doth cure this spiritual Lethargy many times by some sharper and more corrosive affliction that toucheth them to the quick 2. Thou that faintest in a time of adversity consider that of Pro. 24.10 If thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small This fainting is an evidence of a pusillanimous and weak spirit Against this soul-fainting the only cordiall is faith in God and his gracious promises Psa 27.14 I had fainted unlesse I had beleeved to see the goodnesse of God in the Land of the Living Psa 43.5 O my Soul why art thou disquieted within me hope in God for I shall yet praise him By faith as the saving Organ the sweet smell of Gods mercies is carried into the heart and revives it Psa 138.7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble thou wilt revive me 3. Thou that art impatient and secretly in thy heart murmurest against the good Providence of God consider in time thy fretting impatience doth more disquiet thy soul then the crosse it self can by patience thou possessest thy soul Luke 21.19 but by impatience thou dispossessest thy self of that dominion thou shouldest have over thy thoughts speeches and actions it so distracts thee that thou knowest not what thou thinkest speakest or doest By thy impatience thou provokest God to encrease and continue thy crosse Thou art as the Fowl in the Net the more thy impatient spirit doth flutter thou art the more intangled Num. 11. when the people complained It displeased the Lord and his anger was kindled and the fire of the Lord burnt among them Num. 14.34 Because the people murmured at the difficulties in their journey to the promised rest the Lord lengthened their troubles forty years whereas if they had been patient and obedient they had got an expected end in fourty daies Impatience puts men to much pains which might be saved if in patience they would submit to Gods providence in a time of great difficulties Consider it is a fearfull thing in the time of thy impatience to get thy desire of ease and delivery satisfied at such a time it is far better to want it then to have it It is a feeding for the slaughter Num. 11.33 The people were impatient for want of flesh God gave it to them But while the flesh was in their mouth the wrath of the Lord was kindled It is far better to live in want then to be consumed in thy abundance 4. Thou who in a desperate unbelief casts away all hope of deliverance in a time of great trouble Consider thou blasphemest God in his power as if our God were not able to deliver thee Thou saist as Israel did in their unbeleef Can the Lord prepare
There be three Causes specially of this abatement 1. A too deep sense of the evil feared in the creature or a vehement desire of the apparent good in the creature Excesse of fear benums and oppresseth the spirits of men that it is not active to withstand the temptation but becomes dull and passive to close with the temptation Abrahams fear weakened his strength of spirit and made him dissemble twice in the court of Egypt and Gerar Davids fear weakened his courage and made him dissemble and counterfeit himself mad before Achish King of Gath 1 Sam. 23.13 And the vehement desire of good in the creature doth so exhaust the spirit that it becomes weak to resist the temptations Rachels vehement desire after posterity exposed her to the temptations of discontentment with her own husband and of envy at her sisters condition 2. Vain confidence of our own wit and dexterity to use and manage grace received provokes God to suspend his assisting grace and the supply of his Spirit for strengthening us in the act as is evident in Peters weaknesse and yeelding to the temptation in the denial of his Lord. 3. Neglect of the means makes our strength to abate Praier is a speciall means whereby we implore strength from God in an hour of temptation Mat. 26.41 Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation When Moses held up his hands Israel prevailed and when he let down his hands Amalek prevailed Exo. 17.11 So when we become negligent of praier our corruption prevails and we succumb to the temptation Neglect of praier is the obstructing of our intelligence and correspondence with heaven from whence only cometh our help in the hour of temptation For our adversary the devil takes the opportunity to assail us when he perceives there is no entercourse between us and the Captain of our salvation by praier from us and by supply of the spirit from him Neglect of hearing and reading the Word makes our strength to abate The Word is the Sword of the Spirit Eph. 6. and the man who hath no care to hide Gods Word in his heart is like a naked Souldier without his weapons exposed to the fury and violence of every temptation The Word of God is both the seed of the new life and the milk whereby it is entertained 1 Pet. 2.1 2. when the children of God become negligent of hearing and reading the Word of God they fall into a consumption of their spiritual vigour and strength like young children growing weak and pining away by their abstinence from the breast It serveth for a ground of Exhortation Vse 2 Seeing all our strength lieth in our head the Lord Jesus Go to Christ for strength in new duties an new temptations Let us he stirred up to go to him for renewed strength in new duties and in new temptations and that upon these motives 1. Because it is not in mans power to direct his steps in his bodily motion Jer. 10.23 farre lesse in his spiritual course toward heaven which requires a more speciall help and therefore with the Apostle 2 Thes 2.17 we should pray that the Lord would stablish us in every good word and work 2. There is a necessity of a new supply of strength for every new act because our understandings wax dimme and therefore have need of a new touch of that eye-salve spoken of Rev. 3.17 as prospective glasses are wiped whenever of new we make use of them So when ever we go to hear or reade the Word we have great need that the dimnesse cast up by our foul affections may be wiped away and to pray with David Psa 119.27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts Our will and affections though sometime in former duties they be bended and fixed yet like the paces of a clock in a short time they runne out and therefore in new duties we have need of renewed strength to get our stragling affections retired bended upward and set on God and our duty Obj. Means to be used to obtain new strength What means shall we use for attaining strength in an hour of temptation Ans 1. Be humble under the sense of thy own weaknesse for God giveth this grace of strength to the humble when a man is proud of his own strength the Lord in justice deserts him and then both himself and others sees how weak the bottom is whereon he stands 2. Be not so much affected with the sense either of temptation or of thy own weaknesse as with faith into the strength of Christ By faith we draw strength from Christ Faith in the Invisible God did strengthen Moses to overcome his temptation from present and visible fears Hebr. 11.27 Faith in Christ and hope of the rich recompence of reward strengthened Moses to bear the reproach of Christ Heb. 11.26 3. Praier is a speciall means to obtain strength from God Psa 138.3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me and strengthnedst me with strength in my soul the Lord gave unto him a return of his praier by putting strength and courage in his soul to stand in the hour of temptation 2 Cor. 12.9 Paul praied again and again God heard him and perfected his strength in his weaknesse Go to God for strength in the beginning of a Temptation When Peter began to sink then he began to cry unto the Lord The Disciples in the lake did not awake our Lord before the Ship was full of waves Delay to run to God for strength in the beginning of a temptation makes it stronger and us weaker Here is ground of comfort and encouragement to a beleever trembling under the sense of his own weaknesse Vse 3 Comforts against our wickednesse the strength of temptations and under the fear of strong and violent temptations Comfort thy self with these following considerations 1. Consider thy Lord and head Jesus Christ hath an infinite strength As he is of the same infinite essence with the Father so he is of infinite strength with the Father Jesus Christ our Lord is called the Almighty Rev. 1.8 15.3 Out of this infinite strength thy Lord is able to furnish thee in a time of triall with proportionable strength against all the assaults of the devil on all hands As thy adversary renews his force so thy Lord can and will renew strength 2 Corinth 1.5 As the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ 2 Cor. 4.16 For which cause we faint not but though cur outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day Though affections may weaken the outward man yet the inner man groweth in strength from day to day by a continued influence from Christ his head As our Lord is of an infinite so of an everlasting strength He is Jehovah our righteousnesse Jer. 23.6 and In the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Isa 26.4 his strength is not as Sampsons which departed for a time but as he liveth
Author of their Perseverance and performing the good work of grace is God to whom the Apostle giveth thanks vers 3. for calling the Philippians to the fellowship of the Gospel by preaching whereof the Lord had begun in them a good work of grace and of inward communion with Jesus Christ Doct. Perseverance is the free gift of God alone Perseverance the free gift of God Hos 2.19 I will betroth thee unto me for ever in loving kindness and in mercies 1 Cor. 1.8 The Lord Jesus shall also confirm you unto the end that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ Heb. 2.10 It became him in bringing many sons into glorie to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings Our election to glory is of Gods free love the decree and actual sending of Christ to suffer for us and in the end to bring us to that glory is also of free love Joh. 3.16 but we get a right and title to that glory only by the merit of his sufferings by his Spirit he leads us in the way of Sanctification and brings us in the end to that promised inheritance by his merit in our Justification we get jus ad rem a title and claim to the heavenly inheritance in our Sanctification and Perseverance we get the first fruits and the earnest and when our Sanctification is perfected at the end of our life we get jus in re actual possession and all this is through the merit of Christ and the efficacy of his Spirit for he is both the author and finisher of our faith Heb. 12.2 Reasons for confirming this doctrin are Reasons 1 1. As the new creature of grace depends on God alone in the production being of it for of him are all things and we to wit believers and renewed persons are his workmanship created unto good works Eph. 2.10 The new heart and the new spirit are his free gift Ezek. 36.26 As the new Creature depends on God in the production and being of it so also in the conservation and continuance of it for as he upholdeth all things by the word of his power Heb. 1.3 so by the power of his grace he keepeth the new creature 1 Pet. 1.5 Ye are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 2. Our Lord and great High-priest in our behalf prayeth to the father for our perseverance Joh 17.15 Father keep them in thy name and power It were needless to pray unto God for perseverance if it were not of Gods free gift but of mans power to persevere The Apostle also prayeth to God for it 1 Thes 5.23 I pray God your whole spirit soul and bodie be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Iesus Christ 3. Thanks are given to God for the grace of perseverance Iud. 24. and by our thanksgiving we acknowledge him the Author of perseverance 4. Because it is God alone who establisheth and preserveth us in an hour of temptation and so maketh us to persevere 2 Thes 3.3 The Lord is faithful who will stablish you and keep you from evil Vse 1 This doctrine serveth for admonition Let no man depend on his grace received seeing God is the Author of perseverance let no man rest on the beginnings of Sanctification as if grace once received or begun Sanctification could preserve and continue it self No the creature cannot create it self no more can it by its own power keep and conserve it self in a being it is not the first gale and blowing of the wind that will continue a ship in her course if the wind do not continue there is no progress There must not only be a begun but a continued influx of water for continuing the motion of the Mil-wheel so the breathings of the Spirit of God must be continued upon our souls Otherwise we advance not in the course of Sanctification notwithstanding our fair and specious beginnings if the Spirit of God withdraw his breathing and influence we are as a ship under sail presently in a dead calm As a musical instrument though well tuned soundeth not when the skilful player withdraws his hand so a heart though well set in the work of regeneration by the finger of the spirit yet in its actings cannot sound forth to the praises of his grace if God with-hold his assisting grace Yea the Angels who stood not in the truth and also our first Parent Adam received grace of God in a large measure yet when it was left to their own keeping they both lost it and themselves For Exhortation Vse 2 when ever God calleth thee to renew thy duty of repentance faith and obedience Go to God for a new supply of grace go to God for assistance and a new supply of grace 1. Because we are not able to guide our selves and continue in a course of wel-doing without his assisting grace Joh. 15.5 without me ye can do nothing Jer. 10.23 It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps Man cannot without a guiding and over-ruling providence set down one foot after another in his bodily motion far less in his spiritual course toward heaven and happiness Psal 73.23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. 2. Go to God for assistance and for continuance of the work of grace in thee because he hath promised to renew strength to them that faint Prov. 8.20 I lead saith the wisdom of the father in paths of righteousness Jer. 31.9 I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight war wherein they shall not stumble It is said I will lead them with supplications that is in all the acts of piety taking one special part of piety for all the duties thereof This leading of us and our perseverance either in a gracious disposition or in actings is all of his free and fatherly love for I am a father to Israel saith the Lord. 3. The dear children of God pray for this assisting and leading grace of God Psal 5 8. Psal 27.11 Teach me thy way O Lord and lead me in a plain path not only are we ignorant of the way of righteousness and have need of the grace of faith and illumination but our will is froward and our affections impotent therefore there is a necessity they be set on God and his will and then led by his assisting grace in the course of obedience Psal 119.5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes 4. Because the children of God from faith into the promise and their own experience of begun graces have been confident of a leading and guiding grace in the course of Sanctification Psal 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterward receive me to glorie Psal 23.3 He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his names sake Psal 48.14 He will be our guide even unto death 5. There is a necessitie for thee to go to God for a renewed assistance so oft
shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life if Grace received could be lost and dried up wholly like the winter brook in drought of Summer then should it not spring up unto everlasting life But as it is observed in aquaeducts the water will ascend so high as the place is from whence at first it did descend even so this water of life saving Grace as it descends from heaven it carries the soul a long to heaven for it springeth up saith our Lord unto everlasting life This truth is also evident from Ioh. 6.37 Him that cometh unto me I will in no waies cast out by coming to Christ is meaned our believing in him as is evident by comparing verses 64 65. Therefore a true Believer in Christ is never cast out from him but doth persevere unto the end Obj. Obj. It is true say some Christ casteth him not out but he may steal away his own heart by Apostacie from Christ and so cast out himself To this I answer first Answ 1 if the Shepheard of Israel and great Bishop of our souls did sleep or slumber his sheep might steal away wander and perish in their errors but he is vigilant over all his flock he is not like that Keeper 1 King 20.39 While he was busie here and there he lost tho man committed unto his keeping The Shepheard of Israel slumbers not his eyes are alwayes upon every one of his flock The crector of the ends of the earth fainteth not neither is weary Isa 40.28 he leads them in great compassion and wisdom Isa 40.11 He shall gather the Lambs with his arm and carrie them in his bosom and shall gently lead those that are with young he pittyeth us in our infirmities and will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able 1 Cor. 10.13 Though the great Shepheard of our souls in his wisdom suffer his little flock to wander in an hour of darkness to humble them with a sight of their own sillyness and weakness who hath neither wit nor strength to keep themselves yet he hath a watchful eye over them in their wanderings he looked upon Peter with an eye of Pitty and Power to bring him again by repentance after he had departed by a foul denyal he suffers not his own sheep to wander out of the sight of his mercy he sendeth out after them the Spirit of conviction and contrition he makes their barking conscience like the Shepheards Dog to pursue and turn them from their wanderings 2. Moreover if any of the slock of Christ could so stealaway that they should perish in their sins and errors Then Christ himself should cast them out which is contrary to his gracious and faithful Promise for such a disserting of them to go on and perish in their errors were a casting of them out of his care and Protection but our gracious Lord saith Him that cometh to me I will in no wayes cast out neither directly nor indirectly by suffering them to run on in the way of perdition Reasons from Scriptural Truths Reasons do also confirm the truth of this Doctrine 1. From the certainty and stability of election 1. The stability of Election Math. 24.24 There shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very Elect. 2 Tim. 2.19 The foundation of the Lord standeth sure It is not possible for those he hath elected in his unchangeable purpose to fall away totally and finally but so it is that a sound Believer is elected of God Iohn 6.37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me all whom the Father elected to Glory and giveth to the Mediator that by the Merit of his death they may be brought unto the possession of that decreed glory all such sometime are made believers in Christ so likewise all who come to Christ and believe in him are given of the Father and elected There is a reciprocation betwixt election and believing as betwixt the cause and necessary effect Act. 13.48 As many as were ordained to eternal life believed To expound this place of a natural disposition and inclination for eternal life is Pelagianism and a violating of the text of such misinterpreters I say as Augustin contra Adimant S. Augustin if they do it out of ignorance there is nothing more blind and if they do it out of knowledge there is nothing more wicked 2. 2. Gods Power Reason is taken from the power of God Those who are kept by the power of God cannot be lost for there cannot be a greater power to pull them out of the hand of infinite and Almighty power but so it is that Believers are kept by the power of God 1 Pet. 1.5 They are kept by the Father Ioh. 10.29 By the Son Ioh. 10.28 And by the holy Ghost dwelling in them and keeping the house where he is lodged Rom. 8.11 all the three blessed persons have one common care to preserve Believers 3. 3. The Mystical Union with Christ Reason is taken from the mystical Vnion of a Believer with Christ Those who are once in Christ cannot perish but do persevere in Grace to the end Rom. 8.1 There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus but believers are in Christ and Christ is in them he dwelleth in their hearts by Faith Eph. 3.17 he is the Saviour of his Mystical body Eph. 5.24 A strong man will not suffer any of his members to be taken from him and our Lord is the stronger one Luc. 11.22 Obj. Obj. But if a member of the natural body through its own corruption doth rott a man willingly suffereth it to be cut off from the body so a man though once a member of Christs Mystical body may through his own prevalent corruption be cut off from Christ and perish for ever Answ There is no question Answ but even the renewed mans inbred and indwelling corruption if not restrained and overpowered by the Grace of God might carrie him far away from Christ but if any man could hinder that corruption to grow and prevail in his body or if he could restore a corrupt and defective member would he be so unnatural to the members of his own body as to suffer them to perish but so it is that our head the Lord Iesus Christ is able not only with mercie and strength of Grace to prevent the decayings of his Mystical members but also by the Grace of Repentance to restore them when their falls do disjoynt and dislocate them not from the body but from a lively and vigorous motion in the way of common duties with other believers that stand firm thus he restored David and Peter after their failings the corruption of such Members is not desperare and incurable The Union of a Believer with Christ is compared to
fail not as God preserved life in Eutychus notwithstanding his sore fall Act. 20.10 So the Lord preserveth the life of Faith in the hearts of his renewed children in the time of their great and foul falls No thanks to them but all praise to God who forsaketh not the work of his own hands in them But God disserts his own children sometime in respect of strength when he upholdeth them not in the hour of temptation but leaveth them to themselves and to the strength of corruption Thus God disserted David in the matter of Bathsheboh and Vriah as also Peter when he denyed the Lord Sometime he disserts his own children in respect of comfort when he hideth the light of his countenance when he with-holdeth or with-draweth the joy of his Spirit Thus was Iob David and our Lord himself disserted when he cryed out on the Cross My God my God why hast thou forsaken me This dissertion of our Lord was no waies in respect of the love of the Father for he was ever his well beloved Neither was it in respect of strength to sustain him under the burden for he was sustained by the Divine nature dwelling in him bodily It is true dissertion in respect of strength hath ever with it a dissertion also in respect of comfort for then the children of God being without strength do succumb to the temptation and therefore become heartless and comfortless like weak men robbed of their treasure of peace and joy yet there may be a dissertion in respect of comfort when in the mean time they are not disserted but upholden by a secret strength as a person fainting and sinking down may be upholden by one at his right hand though in the time he have no sense of it so many times the dear children of God are upholden by the strength of God that they despair not in their greatest troubles when in the mean time they have no comfort The measure of Gods disserting a renewed person nor clearness to discern the Lords strengthening presence Consider the measure of dissertion the children of God are not in a like measure disserted at all times sometimes more sometimes less at one time they are shaken with the wind of temptation as a tender plant but not cast down at another time they are laid on the ground brought under the temptation like a young tree born down with a great storm yet are never plucked up by the root because they are ingrafted in Christ and that root of Jesse beareth them at a time they will be disserted in respect of strength for doing and exercising some one gracious act and yet at the same time they will be eminently assisted of God in the exercise of another grace Peters zeal to be at Christ was very great when he desired to come through the deep Sea to him Math. 14. But his faith was weak when he saw the wind boysterous The children of God will have strong desires after God and yet at the same time much weakness of Spirit and remissness in their spiritual courage such was Davids disposition Psal 41.1 As the Hart panteth after the water brooks so panteth my soul after thee O God yet at the same time his heart was much discouraged and disquieted with the reproaches of enemies They will also be fervent in Prayer and yet at the same time not so patient as at other times Thus was it with David Psal 31.22 I said in my hast I am cut off from before thine eyes there is a fit of weakness and impatience and yet at the same time he is fervent in prayer Thou heardest my supplications when I cryed unto thee as of some seeds sown in one seed-plat some herbs may appear sooner and be higher then others and the same which were at one time high may take a setting and be overtopped by others so in a renewed man when he is regenerate the seeds of all the saving graces of the Spirit are planted within his heart but sometime the fruit of one grace and sometime of another will be more eminent according to the wise and gracious dispensation of God out-letting on or restraining the influence of his Spirit from the seeds and habits of grace received Lastly consider thy duty in a time of dissertion The duty of a renewed person in the time of dissertion when the Lord hideth his face from thee 1. Search thy wayes for as under a dissertion thou doest observe a change in Gods countenance and dispensation toward thy self so if thou search diligently and impartially thou wilt find there hath been a change in thy wayes to the worse since that time thou found the comfort of the light of his countenance when great persons at sometimes favourable and familiar do change their countenance we do soon observe it and forthwith examine our selves if we have done or spoken any thing to procure such a change It is also our Christian wisdom carefully to observe the time when God hides his countenance and it is our duty to search our waies if we light the candle of our conscience from the light of Gods Word as the damsel in the Gospel did to search after and to find the lost penny we shall undoubtedly find that since the time we had the comfort of Gods presence we have departed from his wayes and turned from him it may be by our ingratitude and not rendering to him according to the favours received or by our spiritual pride and vain gloriation as if we had not received it of free love by our bitterness of Spirit and repining at afflictions by our indignation at others because more esteemed in the world then our selves by neglects or omissions of duties by a negligent and overly performance of them or by some lurking corruption not perceived and mourned for by us 2. When thou hast searched and found out the Achan Humble thy self before God and confess that and all thy former transgressions Hos 5.15 I will go and retire to my place till they acknowledge their offence when God retireth and withdraweth the presence of comfort there is no regaining of that presence but by acknowledgment of thy sins I would counsel thee at such times to set some day apart for afflicting thy Spirit with fasting and mourning I dare say such dayes have fair evenings and comfortable nights 3. Meditate seriously upon the unchangeableness of God and thy own former experiences of his love There is no change with him Lament 3.22 Mal. 3.6 Iam. 1.17 It is with men departing from God as with those that sail away from the firm Land they think as they remove from the Land so it removes from them but when they turn sail they find the Harbour in the same place they left it so when we turn from God we do think in the sense of our bad deservings that the Lord is turned from us but when we change our course and turn again by repentance we find our God where
he was slow to anger but ready to forgive The remembrance of Gods former kindness upheld David in his comfortless condition Psal 77.5 11. I have considered the dayes of old This comforted Jonah 2.4 I said I am cast out of thy sight yet I will look again toward thy holy temple He remembred the comfortable testimonies of the Lords love and presence in his holy temple 4. Wait thou upon God by an humble confidence and dependance Isa 50.10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord and obeyeth the voice of his servant that walketh in darkness and hath no light let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God This is the counsel of the Prophet when the Caldeans oppressed the people of God and prospered at such a time God hid himself did neither deliver his people nor reveal the time of their delivery and of their enemies destruction yet he will have them to wait on and depend on God by Faith when there was no sense of comfort Habak 2.3 4. The vision is yet for an appointed time but at the end it shall speak and not lyâ— though it tarry wait for it because it will surely come it will not tarry his soul which is lifted up in him is not upright but the just shall live by Faith the soul that is lifted up in a time of great trouble the Apostle Heb. 10.30 Expounds it the soul that draweth back to wit by unbelief Heb. 3.12 When men say as wicked Jehoram in a time wherein they see no appearance of deliverance 2 King 6.33 Behold this evil is of the Lord what should I wait for the Lord any longer Therefore in hope and patience wait thou upon the Lord so the Church of God resolved to do Isa 8.17 I will wait upon the Lord that hideth his face from the house of Jacob and I will look for him So did David Psal 42.11.43.5 Why art thou cast down within me O my soul hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him It is an evidence of a true and loving servant to wait and attend on his Master though for a time he get neither a kind word nor a benign countenance his patient attendance and constancy in doing duty is the way to obtain it A soul believing and waiting patiently on God shall not be disappointed of the desired and expected end Psal 9.18 The needy shall not alway be forgotten the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever One time or other thy God will put a new song of praise in thy heart and mouth as he did to David who waited patiently and in the end was delivered out of the horrible pit Psal 40.1 2. It is good even under great calamities quietly to hope Lament 3.26 Hope is our Anchor that establisheth our hearts in the stormy day from being carried about with every strong wind of the present time Let us therefore do as those men Act. 27. When they saw neither Sun nor Stars for many dayes they cast out their Anchors and waited and wished for the day So in our cloudy times of desertion wherein we have no light or comfort more or less let us cast our Anchor of hope within the vail and wait for that glorious day wherein our Lord will wipe away all tears from our eyes and give us glorions rest for ever Before I close this purpose of our perseverance in the estate of grace through the strength of Christ Two questions resolved I would answer two questions 1. If a renewed man may have any certain knowledge of his perseverance 2. What kind of knowledge it is whether at the best only Moral as some Popish Divines grant or fiducial by a certitude of Faith Answ To the 1. I answer affirmatively A believer may have certain knowledge of his perseverance 1. Examples as is evident from examples in holy Scriptures of the dear children of God who were assured of their perseverance Job 19.26 In my flesh shall I see God he was assured to see God in his Country above and therefore was assured to persevere in his journey toward it even in an estate of Grace Psal 23.6 Kindness shall follow me all the dayes of my life Psal 48.14 He will be our guide even unto death Where he speaketh not of himself only as by a special revelation but he speaketh in the plural number in the name of all Believers Asaph also was confident of his perseverance in grace unto glory Psal 73.24 Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory Rom. 8.39 Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus and 1 Joh. 3.14 We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren in which places the Apostles speak of the certain knowledge of perseverance and of salvation in the name of all believing and Justified persons It is also evident from reason 2. Reasons and necessary consequence from Scriptural Truths 1. Because a renewed man may know that thing certainly wherein he rejoyceth for joy is not in things uncertain but we rejoyce in the hope of glory Rom. 5. 2 therefore a renewed man may know that he shall persevere in grace unto glory 2. A renewed man may know that in certainty for which he blesseth God seeing we bless not for things uncertain But renewed men bless God for the grace of perseverance 1 Pet. 1.5 blessed be God we are kept by his power through Faith unto the inheritance c. 3. If a man renewed may know that he hath justifying Faith then may be know certainly that he shall be saved and persevere in grace unto eternal life because there is an inseparable conjunction betwixt this Faith and eternal life Ioh. 3.16 Ioh. 5.24 Ioh. 6.47 but a renewed man may know that he hath Justifying Faith because it were in vain to require a man to examine himself if he be in the Faith if so be he could not know it after examination for a man cannot examine himself in that which is impossible to be known but we are commanded to examine our selves if we be in the Faith 2 Cor. 13.5 which cannot be understood only of that Catholick and Dogmatick Faith as Adversaries alledge because Paul speaketh to them who had received the Christian Doctrine already and there was no doubt concerning the soundness of it as also he speaks there of Christ his dwelling in us by Faith when we are assured Christ is ours as a man is assured of the society and company of one who dwelleth in the same house with him and the Faith whereby Christ dwels in a man is that special Faith which purifieth the heart where he dwels A renewed man may know his perseverance by a certainty of Faith To the second I answer there is a knowledge of a thing to come from probabilities or conjectures and this is opinion only which is liable to error and
constitution bodily humble thy self in the sight of God acknowledge thy indwelling corruption thy original and actual sins for our sinful corruption is the peccant and malignant humor from which proceed all the distempers and out-breakings in the body It was Davids practise in the time of bodily sickness to be humbled for his sins and his greatest desire was to be healed of them Psal 39.8 Deliver me from all my transgressions and if all men should make this humbling use of bodily indisposition how much more such men in whom sins have not only been a meritorious cause of their sickness and weakness but some particular sins have been an active and efficient cause of their great distemper of body as some persons weakned through incontinency or intemperance do pine away in the punishment of their own iniquities how should such be humbed before God when they may read in great letters imprinted on their bodies their particular sins If any such belong to God they will pine away with grief of heart for their sins they never turn their bodies in the bed of sickness but their sins return to their memory and they cry with Ezechias I am oppressed 2. Seek earnestly the health of thy soul Lord undertake for me 2. After thou hast in time of sickness humbled thy self before God in acknowledging thy sins seek first and most earnestly thy souls health So did David in a time of sickness Psal 41.4 Heal my soul for I have sinned against thee Our first and chief care should be to have that which is most precious healed first Men are more careful to heal Apostems in the noble parts then scratches in the skin to heal a wound in the face then one in the back No man is so sensless and soul-less as to deny that the soul is more noble and precious then the body and therefore soul-health is most to be sought after and to be preserved 3. 3. Use lawful means to recover the body Having acknowledged thy sins and sought first soul-health and Remission of sins thereafter in the name of God use all lawful means for recovery of thy bodily health To this effect thou mayest and shouldest use the help of the Physitian his calling is the good Ordinance of God but beware thou put thy trust in the lawful means for as small means through Gods blessing giving vertue to them will do much good so without it all consultations operations and applications of the most probable means cannot profit thee in thy sickness Therefore in using lawful means though never so weak be earnest with God by prayer for a blessing Beware on any terms to use unlawful means as Ahaziah did 2 King 1. He consulted with the Divel for recovering his health 〈◊〉 such means will not cure thee or if they do they may possibly cure thy body but withal they give a deadly wound to thy soul for it is certain the Divel doth more evil this way by healing then by inflicting diseases Those who are called by the ignorant multitude good witches do far more evil then those who are called evil because the first do wound the souls of those whose bodies they cure by their consulting and wicked compliance with such unlawful means and as the soul is far better then the body so the destruction of the soul is worâ—e then that of the body It serveth for instruction to teach us patience under sickness and bodily indispositions be patient O man Vse 2 Learn and exercise patience in sickness the Lord doth thee no wrong thy way and thy doings have procured those things unto thee Ier. 4.18 Wherefore doth a living man complain a man for the punishment of his sins Lament 3.39 It is a mercy thou art yet a living man and hast any time allowed to thee for thy repentance at such a time say thou with the Church Micah 7.9 I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him It is true the dear children of God in time of sore and long continuing sickness will have some paroxysms and fits of impatience Patient Iob cursed the day of his birth Iob 3.1 Ionah was very impatient at the time he had pain in his head and faintness in his heart Ionah 4 8 9. good Ezechias had his own fit also Isa 38.13 as a Lyon he will break all my bones But such fits abide not with them They recollect themselves they mourn and chatter for their impatience they pray for patience resolve in the strength of the Lord to submit to his holy will for the measure of their sickness both in the degree and endurance of it Iob saith after the fit is gone though he should kill me yet will I trust in him Iob 13.15 and Ezechias prayeth to God and resolveth on patience and submission for time coming Isa 38.14.15 What shall I say he hath both spoken unto me and himself hath done it Our heavenly Father spareth us in our fits of impatience and beareth with us as a tender-hearted Father beareth with his cankered childe in time of sickness he considereth wisely his sick child speaketh frowardly from a distemper in his body and not from any disaffection in his heart Our wise Lord careth not for the flashes and flatterings of hypocrites and wicked men when his heavy hand is upon them Psal 78.38 They did flatter him with their mouth then it may be God will get many fair words and large promises Neither is he provoked to wrath by the sudden fits and unadvised out-breaking infirmities of his own dear children in time of heavy diseases Psal 103.13 Like as a Father pittieth his children so the Lord pittieth them that fear him The Spirit of God sets before us the patience of Iob Iam. 5.11 Ye have heard of the patience of Job but there is not one word of his impatience Our gracious God remembers and rewards for his Sons sake the purpose of their will and the affection of their heart but he forgiveth and forgetteth their infirmities imperfections The child of God recovered out of his sickness calls to mind his own impatience the riches of Gods bounty in bearing with him and pardoning him this makes him to walk the more humbly with his God all his life time this wonderfully engageth his heart towards God As Patients recovered of a dangerous disease should be very thankful to the Physitian who did diligently and kindly attend them notwithstanding their untowardness in the time so the children of God that have been waited on in time of sickness with much patience and loving kindness of their heavenly Father when they look back to their recovery both from bodily sickness and soul distempers Vse 3 they will cry out with David Be moderate in the use of worldly things Psal 116.12.13 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards me I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. It serveth for
dying man with an incurable wound unto eternal death As the sting of of the Scorpion inflameth and tormenteth the whole man that is stung so known sins unrepented of put soul and body in a flame of unquenchable fire thus it was with that miserable rich man Luke 16.24 Delay not thy repentance and the seeking of thy remission till thou art on thy death bed would ye not think that malefactor a careless fool and unnatural to himself who should delay to seek his remission unto the very day he were taken out of prison to the place of execution though God hath promised mercy to him that repenteth yet hath he not promised repentance to him that delayeth The sluggard foldeth his hands and saith yet a little sleep a little slumber and his poverty cometh as an armed man he cannot resist it Prov. 24.34 so it is with a careless Professor who sleepeth over his days and hath not a thought of death till it be at door then doth it surprize him as an enemy armed with the dart and sting of sin unrepented of and such a man not guarded by the shield of faith into the righteousness of Jesus Christ is confounded and overcome as a naked souldier with fear at the very sight of death Such debtors who delay to think on their debts and in time to speak for favour with their creditors when the term of reckoning and payment comes they are confounded with shame and fear therefore delay not but in time confess thy debts unto God seek thy discharge and acquittance in the blood of Christ who is the surety of the new Covenant Labour by faith in the charter and Covenant of grace for a sight of that great salvation purchased by the death of Jesus that at thy death with old Simeon thou mayst say and sing that Swan-like song Mine eyes have seen thy salvation now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace Luke 2.29 2. As thou wouldst be well prepared for death Labour to keep a good conscience in thy life-time This is the chest wherein thy remission and peace is kept a man of good conscience in all things willing to live honestly as the Apostle describes Heb. 13.18 he liveth aad dieth in peace It was Hezekiah his great comfort in his sickness and apprehension of death 2 Kings 20 3. I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart It was Pauls comfort 2 Tim. 4.7 8. I have fought a good fight henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness A good conscience is a continual feast it hath the sweetest relish at death when a man at that time is become like old Barzillai through age and debility 2 Sam. 19.35 his senses of seeing tasting and hearing fail him yet even at that time the relish of a good conscience will most refresh him 3. Be thou prepared as the wise virgins were to meet the bridegroom not only with light in their lamps as the foolish virgins were also but with oyl in their vessels Not only must thou have the light of a fair profession before the world but also thou must have in thy heart the oyl of charity toward God and man If thou have love toward God and his holy commandments and love unfained toward thy neighbour but specially toward those in whom thou seest most of the image of God then art thou prepared for death and life eternal is prepared for thee 1 Cor. 2.9 Eye hath not seen ear hath not heard neither can it enter into the heart of man to conceive what God hath prepared for them that love him And 1 Joh. 3.14 By this we know that we have passed from death to life because we love the Brethren but thou who hatest thy neighbour art filled with bitterness and desire of revenge and wilt not commit thy cause to him who judgeth righteously thou art not yet prepared for death so long as thou art in the gall of bitterness for he that loveth not his brother abideth in death 1 Joh. 3.15 That rigid and merciless servant who had no pity on his fellow servant was cast into prison So saith our Lord our heavenly father will do unto us if we from our hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses Mat. 18.33.4 We should be prepared as good and faithful servants waiting for the return of their absent Lord. Luke 12.36 Having their loyns girded and watching In those Eastern countreys the servants for their better expediting business at home or their Journeys abroad did gird up their long cloaths that they should not entangle their feet and retard them in their course The Apostle Eph. 6. speaketh of the girdle of truth and sincerity when our affections are taken off from things earthly trussed up united together and set on God when our heart is in heaven where our treasure is Then and not till then is a man prepared for death When his minde is heavenly and his affections are not trailing on the things of the earth like long garments licking up the dust for a worldly minded man is not yet prepared for death A man that spendeth all his time and care upon repairing the house where he dwelleth for the present but speaketh not for another house nor sendeth away any of his furniture to it will ye say such a man hath any mind to remove so a worldly-minded man that spendeth his time and strength of spirit upon this present world who speaketh not to God in time by prayer for that eternal house in heaven that sendeth not his heart before him as a part of his heavenly furniture such a man is not prepared for removal out of this world Therefore let us obey our Lords warning Luke 21.34 Let not your hearts be oppressed with surfeiting or drunkenness and with the cares of this life and so that day come upon you unawares A heart fixed on the world is taken away unwillingly at death the worldly man who had his full heaven in a full barn his soul was taken from him Luke 12.20 The worldly-minded man unless he repent and become heavenly-minded doth in some respect die a violent death he doth not as our Lord did commit his spirit into the hands of his Father but his soul is taken from him against his will he is drawn forth as a Malefactor from the prison of his earthly house to the place of execution But the spiritual man that hath his heart drawn off the world and set on God he hath his soul ready in his hand to put it over into Gods hand he knoweth whom he hath believed and that his faithful creator will keep the good thing committed to him against that day As thou must gird up thy loyns so thou must watch for thou knowest not how soon thy Lord may send his messenger for thee Watch over thy heart that it depart not from the living God by unbelief nor be drawn away by thy inordinate concupiscence and unruly affections watch over thy
Vse 1 Be thankful for victory over death Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ How should we bless our God for sending his wel-beloved son into the world to deliver us from all our enemies and from this awful enemy death that assaileth us in our lowest condition The damosels of Jerusalem praised David who had slain his ten thousands how then is Davids Lord and ours to be praised who hath overcome innumerable thousands at death in the behalf of his elect and redeemed ones As Sampson killed many at his death so the Captain of our salvation in his lowest condition subdued our enemies in their greatest strength for the weakness of God is stronger then men 1 Cor. 1.25 Then was our Lord strongest in the might of his power when he appeared weakest in his outward condition by his cross he triumphed by the shame he endured he overcame that perpetual shame and confusion we had deserved by his pains he saved us from eternal pains and by his death he was the death and plague of our death how then should we love this Lord who hath delivered our souls from the sting and curse of death our eyes from perpetual tears and our feet from falling into that bottomless gulph out of which there is no returning Amongst the Heathen in whose hearts were engraven by the finger of nature some dim lines of the law of gratitude If any man in time of battel had rescued and saved a Roman Citizen he was adorned with a new oaken crown or garland and highly praised how then should we for whom and before whom Christ was and is crucified praise him who rescueth us from the power of death and prevents us with mercy that we are not sent from death into hell The people of Israel did sing the high praises of the Lord for dividing the red sea for bringing them through it and for his mighty power and mercy in bringing them through Jordan to their promised rest how then should we praise our Lord who in his infinite power unsearchable wisdom and rich mercy hath made a way for us through the deep of his sufferings into that heavenly rest as at the Priests entering the river Jordan Iosh 4. it divided and gave way to the people of God to pass over so our great high Priest by going down to death hath made a way for us through it unto eternal life therefore from a deep sense of that which our Lord hath done already for us and in hope of that happiness before us hid with Christ in God Let us bear a part in that new song Rev. 5.13 Blessing glory honor and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne and unto the Lamb for ever and ever It serveth for admonition Vse 2 Submit to the disposals of God in sickness death seeing our Lord Jesus Christ by his death sanctifieth our death and all our bodily indispositions by making them work for our good and this also is a part of his victory it is our duty in weakness and sickness to submit unto the wise gracious dispensation of God for doing whereof I propose these ensuing motives 1. Motives 1. Because in the sickness of the children of God his wisdom is made manifest ordering the sickness of their bodies for the healing of their souls Rom 8.28 All things work together for good to them that love him their sickness is Gods medicine and hath an operation on their souls for their good what ever be the end of it if the child of God recover his sickness bringeth forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness Heb. 12.11 that is to say a near and closer conformity to the will of God the supreme Law of all righteousness which righteousness and endeavour of conformity to the will of God bringeth forth peace of conscience as a sweet and pleasant fruit But if the sickness be unto death it bringeth forth the incorruptible fruits of eternal life Therefore in time of sickness submit wholly to his most wise and holy will Our Lord said to Peter Joh. 13. What I do thou knowest not now but thou shalt know so in the time of thy sickness wherein the Lord purgeth thy soul thou knowest not what thy Lord is doing but afterward thou shalt know Though the manner of his operation be a great mysterie and secret yet the work brought forth in thy soul and conversation shall be manifest Though sickness be like a medicine sharp and bitter in the operation yet it proveth very profitable in the souls health that followeth upon it shall we take bitter potions upon the word of a man a skilful Physitian for the healing of our bodies and shall we not accept sickness as a Medicine out of the hands of our wise God and loving Father for healing our souls he is faithful and hath promised that our afflictions though grievous for the present shall bring forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness Heb. 12.11 If we endure trials we shall receive the Crown of life Iam. 1.12 Some in Gods preventing mercy have been drawn to God by their sickness as that Palsie-man Mar. 2. and that haemorish woman The great Physitian at one time healed both their souls and their bodies according to that of Isa 48.10 I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction he refines his own children as Gold maketh them vessels of honour and setteth his Image and superscription upon them in the legible characters of true holiness and righteousness 2. Because he maketh his loving kindness and indulgency manifest to his own children in time of their sickness do they not under long and lingering diseases now and then feel some sparks of his love warming and cherishing their hearts and his sensible strength in the inward man upholding them under the burthen of a sick body These glances of his countenance and favour are as cordials to keep their hearts from fainting Thus did the Lord visit his servant David Psa 31.7 Thou hast considered my trouble thou hast visited my soul in adversities and Paul 2 Cor. 1.4 He comforteth us in all our tribulation 3. Submit to his will in sickness and consider with thy self the Lords preventing mercy in preserving thee at such a time from many sins whereinto thou mightest have fallen if thou hadst enioyed health and liberty to go up and down a world full of snares Therefore if thou be yong and under weakness and a daily decay of bodily strength adore the deep wisdom and rich love of thy Lord who keepeth thee in durance as a prisoner of hope A father that keepeth within doors his distempered and distracted child without liberty to go abroad doth it not as an act of rigor and unkindness but out of much wisdom and love fearing he should abuse his liberty and throw himself away into dangers so thy heavenly father by sickness puts a restraint upon thee not out of hatred but out of much love It is
far better to suffer affliction in a weak and sickly body then to act sin in a strong and healthful body It is much better to have the strength of grace made manifest in thy weak body then to have a weak and unruly spirit in a strong body It is much better to be under a sickly and suffering condition then to be like those yong widows rambling up and down in their licentious health such are not only soul-sick but dead while they live in that base element of noysome lusts 1 Tim. 5.6 but the children of God living to him in their sickness have healthful souls in sick bodyes they have freedom of spirit under bodily restraint It serveth for a ground of comfort and encouragement to the children of God against the fear of death Vse 3 Comforts against the fear of death and for the better establishing of our hearts I propound these consideraons 1 Consider Death is a naked and spoyled enemy Our Lord hath taken the sting from it so that it cannot harm thee It is true the dear children of God have their own fits of natural fear when they look to deaths pale and gastly face but when in their second and better thoughts they consider death hath no power nor weapon wherewith to hurt them this doth raise and comfort their drooping spirits and upon this account I may say to the child of God as the two faithful spies said to the Children of Israel affrighted with apprehensions of strong and mighty enemies in the way unto their promised rest Num. 14.9 Their defence is departed from them and the Lord is with us fear them not 2. Consider Thy Lord and Captain of salvation is with thee at thy death and will lead thee through that dark trance This was Davids comfort Psal 23 4. I will not fear although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death because the Lord is with me This valley is like that of Achor to the child of God a door of hope Hos 2.15 As the children of Israel were much encouraged and comforted by the first tasts of plenty in Achor at their entrance into the promised land so the children of God at their entring into the valley of death and border of eternity receive of the first fruits of eternal life peace in their consciences and joy of the holy Ghost in their hearts by faith and hope they see some light before them at the further end of this dark valley like a light on the shoar towards which their will doth steer the course of their affections Psal 48.14 He will be our guide even unto death Think not thy God who hath been thy guide through the wilderness will leave thee when thou comest to Jordan and to the border Thou art both unthankful and unbelieving to entertain such unkind thoughts of thy kinde God upon whom thou hast been cast from the womb make better use of tried love then to distrust him in the end of the day who hath been with thee since the morning of thy life but rather learn as David to make good use of former kindness first to praise him Psal 71.6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb my praise shall be continually of thee Next to hope and confide in him vers 14.16 I will hope continually I will go in the strength of the Lord God And last to pray to him for continuing his loving kindness ver 17 18. O God thou hast taught me from my youth Now also when I am old and gray-headed O God forsake me not 3. Consider thy union with Christ This is a main ground of comfort at death he is the saviour of his body all his members will be brought where himself their head is he will be compleat in his body he will not want the weakest or poorest believer that did on earth cleave to him with purpose of heart 4. Consider he prayed for thee that thou mightest be where he is Joh. 17.24 Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me and he prayed also that the father would keep them in his name and power by the way until they came unto the end of their faith the salvation of their souls Thou who in thy sick bed prayest for the same thing our Lord sought in prayer for thee and before thee thou mayst be assured to be heard when thy prayer is founded on his merit and on the efficacy and example of his prayer 5. Consider the godly man is a great gainer by death It is best to be with Christ Phil. 3.23 The man who liveth to Christ and dieth in Christ doth not loose the good things of this world but exchangeth them for far better A man returning from a strange and poor countrey to his own home and in place of base mettal which he leaves behind him receiving a bill of exchange to be answered in gold and ten thousand for one that man looseth nothing by leaving that poor countrey and base coyn but gaineth much so the believer at death upon the account of Gods true and faithful promise made to him in place of empty and perishing riches receiveth in heaven solid and durable riches in place of honour worldly that is like the inconstant wind he gets his adoption manifested to him when he is put in possession of eternal glory when he is made a sure pillar in that new Jerusalem whereupon holiness and glory is engraven with indeleble characters The new Jerusalem is wholly founded upon Jasper stones Rev. 21.19 All such precious things so much esteemed in this world are far below our contentment and happiness in heaven as the foundation of a house is far below the plenishing and precious furniture of it God himself infinite in greatness goodness beauty and all perfection will replenish our house there with his own presence wherein is fulness of joy and pleasures for ever Psal 16.11 Compare I pray you our happy being with Christ after death and our being in the miseries of this life Then canst thou not but assent to that of Paul It is best to be dissolved and to be with Christ at the best here we are but Pilgrims and is it not best for a Pilgrim to be at home in his fathers house we may and should as Pilgrims resolve for hard and unkindly entertainment in this strange world yea entertain a pilgrim never so well yet his heart is homeward so though the child of God were every way in a prosperous condition here on earth yet his heavenly mind is far above those empty husks his heart is in heaven here not only are we in a course of pilgrimage being absent in the body from the Lord but also in a daily warfare not only against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers against Satan the world our own rebellious corruption by which as a domestick traitor Satan and the world do deceive assail and overcome us now and then
in the hour of temptation we get rest in time of our life from divers temptations which Satan as a crafty fowler useth thereby as so many calls and whistlings to allure into his Net divers kinds of silly fools in our yonger years we are tempted to untowardness and frowardness in riper years to riot and sensuality after that to pride and ambition and in our declining age to covetousness and worldly mindedness To have our hearts even then fixed in the world when one of our feet is already in the grave a most untimely temptation and yet prevails with too many Is it not therefore best to be dissolved and to be with Christ There and then will be perfect peace and freedom from this body of sin and inordinate concupiscence which like a troubled sea raised up with the winds of temptations doth cast up mire and dirt but in heaven with Christ our Lord there is a perpetual calm all the stormy winds are in the inferior region of the air so all the winds of temptations are here below but none there where our Sun of righteousness shineth for ever Man here is subject to one cross after another like Paul no sooner out of the danger of the raging sea but a Viper leapeth upon his hand Act. 28. No sooner do our eyes dry but we are put to weeping again The breathing times and respite God in his goodness giveth to us at one time are to prepare us for a new onset at another time is it not therefore best to be there where all tears will be wiped from our eyes Rev. 21.4 2. It is best to be in heaven with Christ if we compare the small beginnings of glory here with that cempleat glory and hapiness there here the children of God receive the earnest of the spirit and the first fruits of eternal life but what is the earnest penny in comparison of that full sum of glory which cannot be conceived or numbred by the heart of man here And what is the handful of the first fruits in comparison of the full harvest of Joy in heaven I grant the earnest should comfort and encourage us in the assured expectation of the full bargain of happiness for faithful is he who hath promised And the first fruits some grains of peace and joy bestowed on us here should comfort us in the hope of that full joy there that shall never be taken from us The same was a ground of the Apostle his willingness to be dissolved and of his confidence to be eternally happy after his dissolution 2 Cor. 5.6 8. He hath given unto us the earnest of the spirit we are confident and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord 6. Consider to what society and company we go at our death we remove not to a strange countrey but to our fathers house to the immediate fruition of God Father Son and Holy Ghost to the soc ety of holy Angels and to the souls of just men made perfect what ravishment and contentment of spirit had Peter upon the Mount in the society of our Lord at his transfiguration and of those two witnesses Moses and Elias It is good to be here said he what then wilt thou think and say when thou shalt have an immediate communion with thy Lord and a comfortable but unspeakable communion with all the Angels and Saints in heaven Old Jacob was much encouraged to go down unto Egypt when he considered Joseph was there before him to receive and welcome him when he looked beside to the waggons and provision sent to him for his journey and when he looked behinde him to a land of famine from which he was to depart So at the hour of death we have matter of encouragement when by faith we look before us Our Joseph the Lord Jesus Christ the great Steward and dispenser of grace and glory is before us to welcome us when we look with the eye of sense and experience beside us Our Ioseph sendeth some provision of faith and hope to hold in the life of grace by the way And when we look behinde us we leave a world abounding in sin and misery That divine Philosopher Socrates said death would be a hard matter to me if I thought not I were going to men departed this life and those far better then many who stay behind them Therefore in this respect also it is best to be dissolved and to be with Christ 7. Consider our happy condition is a thing certain and sure already prepared for us by the merit of Christ and reserved for us in heaven 1 Pet. 1.4 It is not with us blessed be God as with the Emperour Hadrian he knew not whether his soul went at death when he said O my silly wandering soul into what places wilt thou now go But a Believer saith with Paul 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed Our Lord hath told us Joh. 14.12 I go to prepare a place for you As a man espousing a wife in a strange countrey returneth to his own countrey maketh all ready for her coming home and in his convenient time sendeth his special friends for her to convoy her home so our Lord by his word hath suited us and by faith wrought in us by his Spirit hath espoused us unto himself he hath gone before us prepared all happiness for us and in his own good time doth send his holy Angels to convoy our souls at death unto that eternal house in heaven not made with hands The sight and knowledge of this made the Apostle to groan in his spirit and long for it 2 Cor. 5.1 2. As one dwelling for a time in a strait dark and rainy house compassed about with naughty and wicked neighbours such a man after he hath gotten a promise of a large lightsome and close house that hath the society of good and comfortable neighbours how much will he long for the term of removal Such is our condition in the body Much straitness and suppression of spirit through many grievous troubles much ignorance and darkness in our understanding Many temptations like rain dropping in through the open and ill-guarded organs of our senses And also many wicked men do compass us like Bees to sting us but in that house and happy condition above there is largeness of spirit and freedom from all molestation full light and knowledge stability perpetual in grace and glory above the rain and wind of temptations And there is the blessed society of God Angels and perfect souls Therefore from all these considerations we must and should conclude it is best to be dissolved and to be with Christ with whom our life is hid in God Object Object But may not the child of God in a time of sickness desire to live and pray to God for recovery Answ I answer no doubt he may so did David Psal 39.13 Answ A believer may in time of sickness pray to live and Ezekias Is
38. but desire of life should be well qualified 1. It must be ever with submission to the good will of thy heavenly father thou must say as our Lord did Father if it be thy will let this cup pass away from me yet not my will but thine be done 2. It must be out of a serious intention and resolution to honour the God of thy life by bringing forth the fruits of righteousness after thy sickness that all who know thee may praise thy God not only in his power manifested in thy bodily recovery but in his mercy for healing thy soul and making thee to grow in grace after thy sickness 3. It must be with an earnest desire to glorifie God in thy calling As Paul Phil. 1.24 It is best for you that I abide in the flesh As Parents being sick may lawfully desire to live that they may bring up their children in the knowledge and nurture of the Lord but all this must be done with a submission to the will of God Object Object May a man out of discontentment for troubles worldly desire to be dissolved Answ That was Jonahs sinful fit of impatience Answ but it lasted not It is not lawful our of discontent to desire death we should be much displeased and discontent with our sins but in no wise with the good and blameless providence of God in afflicting us for our sins It were evil for us if death should take us away in such a fit It were with the silly fish but a leaping out of the lukewarm water into the hot fire It is a weakness of spirit to fret and faint under crosses but the strong spirit beareth them with resolution To this purpose Augustine doth argue well Augustine that Cato and Lucretia were both of weak spirits in so far as they could not bear those disgraces wherein they were innocent sufferers but out of their weakness of spirit and a desperate discontentment they became Agents in their own perpetual shame and confusion by self-murder and leaving their station without any order from God who had placed them therein It is most certain that crosses through Gods grace sanctifying them are means to wean the heart of the child of God from the world as babes are weaned from the brest after it is crossed with wormwood But the main ground wherein riseth and standeth the desire of Gods children to be dissolved is this that they may be delivered from the burthen and bondage of indwelling corruption and be with Christ which is best of all Therefore whatsoever thy present condition be labour thou to be content therewith This is a sure ground of comfort after thou art once in a state of grace and favour with God through Christ Thy present estate be it what it will prosperity or adversity it is ever the best Reverence his wise and holy providence God hath placed thee in this world Submit thou to his will for the time of thy abode or removal As God put Noah in the Ark so the holy man stayed there till God commanded him to come forth Joseph and Mary stayed in Aegypt till God sent them word to depart out of it So must we with patience abide in a miserable world until the time God sendeth for us and when death cometh as a messenger from God then should we answer as Rebekkah did to her nearest friends when they said Gen. 24. Wilt thou go with this man She answered readily and resolutely I will go She leaveth parents friends and all So at death should we be willing to leave all in this present world for it is best to be with Christ the prince of life and Lord of Glory To whom with the Father and Holy Ghost be all Praise Honour and Glory for now and ever Amen The glorious resurrection of the body by CHRIST JOH 5.28 29. Marvel not at this for the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice And shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation THe great priviledge of the glorious resurrection of our bodies The resurrection of the body a fruit of Christs Merit is also a sweet refreshing stream flowing out from the fulness of Christ his love merit and power 1 Cor. 15.22 Since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead we get a right and claim to this priviledge by Faith in Jesus Christ the purchaser of it Ioh. 5.24 Verily verily I say unto you he that heareth my word and believeth on him that sent me hath everlasting life and shall not come into damnation but is passed from death into life It is spoken of the whole person and supposeth man made up of soul body also in the praeterit time he is passed from death unto life because his interest and claim to Christ doth ensure unto him all the benefits purchased by the death of Christ As the purchase is by the merit and satisfaction of Christ The application and appropriation of the right and claim by Faith in Jesus Christ so we are put in the possession of it by our Lord at his second coming Philip. 3.21 he shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned according to his glorious body In the words we have these four points considerable 1. In the words 4. points 1. The certainty of the resurrection of the body The hour is coming Our Lords Disciples and hearers marvelled when they heard of the Mysterie of the first resurrection whereof our Lord was speaking that those who were yet dead in their sins and trespasses should be quickned by the word and Spirit in these words he saith marvel not at that for not only is there a first resurrection in this world to a new life but also a second resurrection in the other world into eternal life 2. The universality of the resurrection All in the graves 3. The powerful means of the resurrection They shall hear his voice and shall come forth 4. The different ends of the resurrection according to the difference of the persons that will be raised They that have done good unto life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation From the first point we observe this Doctrine and Conclusion Doctrine There shall be a resurrection of the body It is most certain there will be a resurrection of the body The hour and time appointed for it in Gods purpose is coming saith our Lord in whose lips was never found guil There is a certainty of infallibility in respect of divine prediction for heaven and earth will pass away before one of his words fall to the ground and there is also a certainty of immutability in respect of Gods Decree and eternal purpose for the counsel of the Lord shall stand and he shall do all his pleasure Isa 46.10 The resurrection of the body is
the body ye cannot read one syllable in all the heathen writers Such Doctrine was mocked at by the Philosophers of heathens Act. 17. they could not give an assent to it And therefore Paul saith Act. 26.8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead They measured Divine Mysteries by the short plummet of humane reason Likewise from this ground that of nothing there can be nothing produced they could not believe that Mysterie of the infinite power of God in the work of Creation in like manner having their understandings prejudiced with this received maxim that from a privation there cannot be any regress unto the habit they could not assent to the Doctrine of the resurrection of the body Humane reason cannot reach Divine Mysteries they are above its capacity 1 Cor. 2.14 the only ground whereon rests our assent to such a Divine Mysterie Augustine is the infallible testimony of God in holy Scripture Augustin saith well that a natural man requires a reason of evidence in the matter it self before he believe it intelligam saith such a man ut credam let me understand it that I may believe but the Disciple of Iesus Christ who hath captivated his thoughts unto the word of God saith credam ut intelligam let me once believe that God hath spoken it then shall I understand it to be true and evident from the testimony of God when we consider the goodness of our God in revealing to us this great Mysterie hid from many of the wise in the world let every one of us say with our blessed Lord Math. 11.25 26. I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight It serveth also for comfort to three sorts of persons Vse 2 1. To such of the children of God as are under any trouble and pain in the body Comfort to Saints under bodily pain though it were a painful languishing disease yet here is a sure ground of hope and comfort It is most certain thy bodie will be raised and in the bodie thou shalt have a comfortable rest from all labour and pain This was Iobs comfort in the day of his sore trouble that in the same body he should rise and see God Iob. 19.25 26. It was the Apostles comfort 1 Cor. 15.19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable because they suffered more in the body then other men did yet the hope and comfort of the resurrection upheld them It is some ease and comfort to one that is Sea-sick to look a far to the Land but their comfort and joy of heart is much greater when they come safely to it so in all our troubles in the body which are as a Sea-sickness in our passage towards our Country above let us look by Faith to the certainty of the resurrection of the body and if there be some comfort and joy as undoubtedly there is from Faith into the Promise and from hope of the promised resurrection What then will be the measure of thy comfort and joy when in a glorified body thou shalt see the Son of God manifesting his glory and transcendent beauty in his body It serveth for a ground of comfort to them that are on their death-bed Vse 3 Comfort to Saints against the apprehensions of death and have received in themselves the sentence of death be of good comfort the day is coming when thy body shall be raised out of the dust Consider for thy comfort 1. The mystical union of the bodies of Believers with Jesus Christ their head and thou mayst be confident our Lord and glorious head will not want any part of his Mystical body 1 Cor. 15.20 Christ is the first fruits of them that sleep as the first fruits were a sure evidence that the harvest was coming on a pace so the resurrection of Christ is a sure ground of hope and comfort for assuring us of the resurrection of our bodies 1 Cor. 15.16 If the dead be not raised then is not Christ raised 2. Consider the end of Christs death and of his second coming 2 Thes 1.7 It is a righteous thing with God to render to you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Iesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels It is true in the grave thy body will have a kind of a negative rest then no pain in the body but in the day of resurrection thou shalt have a positive and refreshing rest in God himself like a man awakened and resting on a bed of Roses 3. Consider the endurance of the Kingdom of the Mediator in respect of the manner of the administration of it in this world 1 Cor. 15.25 He must reign until he have put all his enemies under his feet One of those enemies is the grave which our Lord before subdued and will also put under our feet when our bodies shall be raised out of the grave and we shall be above the power of corruption Therefore thou that believest in Christ mayest dye with great comfort and exult with Paul 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have believed and I am perswaded he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day Commend thy Spirit into his hands and thy dying body to his Fatherly care to be kept in the grave by him he is a Faithful Creator and Conservator of both at the day of resurrection he will render both Thou mayst be assured the Lord who requires men to be faithful in rendering again the pledge intrusted to them Deut. 24.13 he will in the day of restoring all things render again to thee thy soul and body with increase of glory beauty and strength Thirdly Comfort to Saints mourning for the death of their friends It serveth for comfort to those who mourn for the death of their dear friends I grant it is not only lawful to mourn but it were unnatural not to do so Our Lord wept over Lazarus Joseph mourned many days for his old Father The death of dear friends is one of Gods visitations and it becomes us well to take notice of Gods visiting us we must neither slight and despise the chastisement of the Lord nor be faint-hearted when we are rebuked of the Lord Heb. 12.5 The first is a brutish stupidity and Heathenish Apathie the other is a sillyness and pusillanimity proceeding from unbelief and repining of Spirit but let thy mourning be qualified and moderated with the comfort and hope of the resurrection 1 Thes 4.13 Sorrow not even as others which have no hope That Heathen Moralist could say We have not lost our friends but sent them before us what then should Christians say who believe not only the immortality of the soul but also the resurrection of the body
good tidings from heaven and of joy to thee then all thy evil dayes will be over wherein thou hadst thy trembling fits and feavers of conscience but that will be thy good day without succession of an evil day then shalt thou have perpetual peace in thy soul and confirmed health in thy body for if thou be espoused here to Iesus Christ in holiness and righteousness thou shalt not be afraid at his glorious coming the glory of thy Lord and Husband will reflect upon thee and his spouse shall rejoyce at his coming The wise Virgins rejoyced at the voice and coming of the bridegroom in that day thou shalt rejoyce as Iacob did in hearing and seeing his Ioseph in the day of his great honor power in Egypt Our Lord with his white cloud at his coming will scatter and abolish all thy clouds of afflictions Though now it may be thou hast much weakness in the body yet in that day thy Lord will come with power to give unto thee a strong body It may be for a season thou sufferest much disgrace and trouble in the body for keeping a good conscience in an evil time yet be of good comfort thy righteous Lord will come in great glory and shall give unto thee a new name even glory and honour that none can take from thee Therefore in the sense of thy true conjugal affection unto him wrought in thy heart by his spirit and in the lively hope of the full manifestation of his love in that joyful day when there will be a perpetual cohabitation in glory let thy soul be looking and longing for his second appearing and as thou hearest him saying Rev. 22.12 Behold I come quickly and my reward is with me So let thy soul as an eccho answer with the spouse Even so Lord Iesus come 4. Point The fourth point considerable in the words Point 4 is the different ends of this universal resurrection They that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation both the godly and the wicked will come forth from their graves but as they differed in their life and death so shall they differ in the end of their resurrection The godly will come forth as the Butler out of Prison Gen. 40. to stand and live for ever in the favour of God but the ungodly as the Baker to be made spectacles of the Iustice and wrath of God for ever It is true the bodies of the wicked will be raised immortal and incorruptible to the end they may be everlasting subjects of everlasting pain as the body of a Malefactor is held up at a Pillory when he is scourged that by the extention of his body he may be rendred the more capable of the scourge and pains The resurrection of the bodies of Believers who live to the Lord and die in the Lord will be unto an happy condition Doct. Believers shall arise to happiness and freedom from all trouble pain and all the consequents of sin for the Resurrection of Life is opposed unto the Resurrection of Damnation as the ungodly in their bodies will be fastned like condemned slaves to eternal torments they will be ever dying and pining a way in torments but never dead so the godly will live in the body a life of happiness being absolved and freed from all pain and enjoying all satisfaction in the presence of an al-sufficient God Phil. 3.21 he will change our vile bodies and he will make them like unto his own glorious body Our bodies in this life are but weak and frail a little thing will distemper them even one nights unrest Our bodies in this vale of misery are but vilis saccus servorum The greatest amongst the children of men carry about with them such excrements as should be Monitors of frailty and documents of humility and that which maketh our bodies most vile is this that they are cages of unclean birds of many unruly lusts though they reign not in the godly yet they dwell in them as Hagar with Sarah and do molest them But at the resurrection there will be a change of our Bodies Our Lord will make them like unto his glorious body and it is said Mat. 17. at his transfiguration which was a prelude of the glorifying of his body his face did shine as the Sun As the Tabernacle under the Law was made according to the pattern shewn in the Mount so our earthly Tabernacles will be renewed according to that pattern shewn in the Mount where our Lord was transsigured great will be the brightness of their bodies in that day of resurrection there will be a most glorious sight when the bodies of the Saints will rise up together as so many Suns above the horizon of the grave and time that will be a lightsome and a glorious day This surpassing glory of their bodies is described more particularly 1 Cor. 15.42 in divers respects 1. Wherein the glory of the body consists In respect of endurance it is sown in corruption but raised in incorruption Our life here is in a continual flux as one part of running water thrusteth forward the other parts so some parts of our body decay daily the radical moystness is wasted by the natural hear and must be repaired by meat drink sleep and other helps as so many props to support our weak and ruinous Tabernacle of clay as a lamp that consumes the oyl must have a new supply But at the resurrection our bodies will be incorruptible their condition will be fixed without any decay in part or in whole Then the vital and animal spirits of the body will be as pure Wine without any mixture of dreg There will be no superfluous or excrementitious humor in the body it will be as the gold purified seven times in the furnace all dross and corruption will be fully purged out and the body will be made an everlasting vessel of honour There will be no alteration in the body nor declining to old age but the glorified Saints shall be like the Cedars in Lebanon Psal 9.14 they shall still bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing 2. In respect of the stature and beauty of the body it is sown in dishonour it is raised in glory there will be great glory in the bodies of the godly excellent comeliness in stature and a beautifull and equal proportion of all the members The Saints who had any deformity or defect of members in this life shall have none then Act. 3.19 It is called the day of restoring all things what ever their body wanteth now for comeliness shall then be restored and supplyed Our Lord restored Malchus his ear and by the same power he will restore the defect of any member as there will be comeliness in a just symmetry and proportion of the members so a surpassing comeliness in the colour and brightness of the body do we not see in our
endeavour to glorify God in the body Vse 3 Sound comfort to the Godly let the meditation on these glorious qualities of the body in the day of resurrection comfort thy heart under all the pains and troubles in the body Thy vile body will be changed now thy body is decaying and dying daily thou art troubled in underpropping thy ruinous house of clay and do what thou canst one time it will fall down but there is thy comfort it will be raised in incorruption This was the ground of the Apostles comfort against the decay and dissolution of the body 2 Cor. 5.1 We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens there we will get a Mansion John 14.2 In my Fathers house are many Mansions then our condition will not be subject to alterations like men dwelling in a Tabernacle and removing from place to place but it will be fixed and permanent without any change it will be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an abiding of glory and joy 2. Though now possibly there be some deformity in thy body yet in that day thy body shall be compleat and comely though at thy death thy body were full of fores and ulcers yet if thou dye in the Lord thy body shall be raised in honor and comely beauty in that day Lazarus will have no sores as the body will be fully purged in that day from all contagion of sin so will it be freed from all deformity which was only a Symptom of indwelling corruption 3. Whereas thy body is now weak and frail a little thing doth soon distemper thy Spirit and little labour makes thy body weary This is thy comfort that in the day of resurrection thy body will be raised in strength though now thou canst not go up a little hill without some weariness in the body yet in that day thou shalt go up in the body to the third heaven and shalt not be weary 4. Now thou art much troubled about the natural operations and imployments of the body for food and rayment and other things pertaining to this decaying life but in that day thou wilt have appetite after nothing but God himself and all thy appetite will be fully satisfied by a perpetual delight in thy God infinite all-sufficient unchangeable and eternal in glory goodness and bounty towards thee Thou who art vexed disquieted in this life with the relicks of inordinate concupiscence remaining in the body thou hast cause to be humbled in the sight of God for that body of death yet there is thy comfort thou shalt be freed in that day from all such molestation in the body and thou shalt be like unto the spotless Angels without all inclination to delight in any thing but in the knowledge and love of God◠In that day great will be thy joy at the meeting of the soul and the body Though at parting here by death there was much pain and trouble like the parting of Iacob and Benjamin yet their meeting will be with great joy like the meeting of Iacob and Ioseph the soul will bring down good news from heaven to the body like the report of the faithful spies Numb 14. to encourage the body to go with it unto the heavens where they shal rejoyce together for ever in the presence of God then shall their joy be encreased at their meeting with Christ and perpetuated in their abode with Christ in the third heaven and following with praise and triumph the Lamb where-ever he goeth To him with the Father and holy Spirit be all praise honour and glory now and ever Amen Of Eternal Life by and with CHRIST PSAL. 17.15 As for me I will behold thy face in righteousness I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness AS the glorious resurrection of the body is a refreshing stream from the fulness of Christ so is also eternal life Eternal life is in and from Christ which is the full and compleat happiness of soul and body in one person This is purchased by the Merit of the righteousness and obedience of Iesus Christ Rom. 5.20 21. Where sin abounded Grace did much more abound that as sin hath reigned unto death even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Iesus Christ our Lord by Faith in Iesus Christ we get a right and claim unto eternal life Ioh. 6.47 he that believeth on me hath everlasting life by him we shall be put in possession of eternal life Math. 2◠34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for you After that the bodies of them that have done good are raised up and inlivened with the souls then shall the Saints go with the Lord unto the third heaven and there in soul and body enjoy eternal life The great blessing of eternal life is laid before us by the Psalmist The sense of the words in these words I know some Interpreters understand the words to be meant of the lively sense of Gods favour bestowed upon his children after they have been for a time under a night of trouble It is most true light is sown even in darkness for the upright in heart though the Lord hide his face in a little wrath for a moment yet with everlasting kindness will he have mercy Isa 54.8 But I conceive as many sound Interpreters do the Prophet speaketh of that confidence and hope the children of God have of rest happiness and satisfaction after this life when their bodies that sleep in the grave shall be awaked to the resurrection of life Because he opposeth the hope of after happiness as a strong prop to sustain the children of God in all their troubles and wants in this life against the temptations from the prosperity of wicked men in this present world to whom God giveth a large portion of things worldly The Prophet comforteth himself and all the Godly with the hope of that full and enduring portion in the other life some read the latter part of the verse thus I shall be satisfied when thy Image or likeness is awaked and the original will bear it as if the meaning were thus when I who was once created to thy Image shall rise again I shall be satisfied but I encline rather to the ordinary reading I shall be satisfied with thy Image when I awake by Image is understood the face of God which in the former part of this verse is called a beholding of Gods face in the immediate seeing whereof will stand our eternal happiness when we shall see him as he is 1 Ioh. 3.2 In the words we have The parts of the Text. 1. The time of his compleat and consummate happiness when I awake 2. The matter of his happiness and the manner of enjoying it the matter and object Gods face or likeness the manner
of enjoying I will behold thy face 3. His perfect disposition and condition in the state of happiness I shall behold in righteousness having my heart perfectly conformed to the will of God the perfect and adequate rule of righteousness 4. The measure of his happiness I shall be satisfied my happiness will be full in the measure without want of any thing that can make me happy all my desires shall be satisfied and my happiness in respect of duration shall be eternal without a shadow or fear of a change The time when his compleat happiness will begin is The time of full happiness at the day of resurrection when I awake This is no wayes to to be understood of the awaking of the soul as if the soul during the sequestration of it from the body were as in a sleep without all sense either of pain or joy until the day of resurrection This is contrary to the holy Scriptures that tell us the spirit returns to him that gave it Eccles 12.7 The soul of the rich man was tormented and the soul of Lazarus comforted Luk. 16. Our Lord said to the convert Thief This day thou shalt be with me in Paradise and therefore his soul went straight to heaven Rev. 14 13. Blessed are the dead who dye in the Lord from hence forth that they may rest from their labours and their works follow them This place as it overturns that invention of purgatory for it is said from henceforth that is after their death they rest from their labours and so go not to that labour in the fire of purgatory So it discovereth and confuteth that dotage of some in the former and present times concerning the sleeping of the soul Neither can the place be understood only of a meer privation of trouble or pain such as dead bodies may have but it is a rest from labour with comfort reflecting to the soul from point of pain 1. It is an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comforting rest as the same word is used by our Lord Math. 11.28 2. The place speaks of this rest as a special benefit bestowed on them that dye in the Lord and therefore it is not as some have thought a rest from all pain or joy which they affirmed to be common for a time both to the souls of good and evil men 3. And withall it is said their Works follow them to tell us no sooner the evening of this their life is ended but immediately they get their reward of glory in beholding the face of their Father which is in heaven But this manner of speech is used to express the death and rising of the body for in the Scripture phrase the death of the body is compared unto a sleep Ioh 11.11 Our friend Lazarus is asleep saith our Lord but I go to awake him of Iairus daughter our Lord said the maid sleepeth Math. 9.24 1 Thes 4.15 We which are alive shall not prevent them that are asleep The death of the body is fitly compared to a sleep Death fitly compared to a sleep for those reasons following 1. In time of sleep the senses are bound up there is no exercise of them so after death the body cannot act nor exercise any natural operation 2. As some go sooner to bed for sleep and others later so some dye in their younger others in an older age 3. As in sleeping some lye longer in bed others but a short time so the bodies of the Patriarchs are a longer time in their graves then the bodies of those who dye in the later times 4. As after sleeping there is an awaking so after death there will be a raising of the body 5. As some after sleep are refreshed and rise up cheerful others awake sick and heavy so in that morning of eternity the day of resurrection the Godly at their awaking from death will be refreshed and made glad with the sight of Gods face but the wicked will be awaked and rise with an heavy and doleful heart at the sight of Gods angry countenance then shall they curse the day of their birth and wish they had perished with the beast what Iob said once in a fit wishing for his dissolution they shall say in an eternal impatience longing for an Annihilation but shall not obtain it Iob 3.20 Wherefore is light given unto him that is in misery and life unto the bitter in soul which long for death but it cometh not and dig for it more then for hid treasures Our compleat happiness is delayed until the time our bodies be awaked and raised out of the grave Doctrine Compleat happiness shall be after our resurrection for it is said here I shall be satisfied when I awake Our satisfaction will not be till then The children are first awaked and raised up in the morning before they be set down at Table so our bodies must be first raised before we can be set down at their common Table and Communion of glory with Abraham Isaac and Iacob for our happiness cannot be consummate until the person be glorified both in soul and body that our compleat happiness is delayed till that time is evident from Scripture Dan. 12.2 Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake some to everlasting life 1. Cor. 15.54 When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption then death is swallowed up in victory so that the compleat happiness both in soul and body will not be until we get victory over death and the grave by the resurrection of the body Thus the Lord delayeth it in his wisdom for these reasons 1. To shew his truth and faithfulness Reasons 1 by inflicting death according to the Word of threatning Gen. 3.19 Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return And therefore to fulfil the Word of truth there must be a dissolution and returning of the body unto dust before there can be a resurrection 2. To confirm our faith of the resurrection when we hear the bodies of the Patriarchs do rest yet in their graves and are not raised up we are assured God will raise them and our selves with them If God had raised their bodies already Many would have doubted of any other resurrection yea when we see at any time the graves opened of those who dyed in the Lord their very bones and dust preach unto us and this a pious Necromancie the Doctrine of the resurrection that the bodies shall awake and rise unto life 3. The Lord delayeth it to shew his great power in quickening and raising the bodies that have been dead long ago for all things are alike possible to our God of infinite power he can raise them who are dead thousands of years since with no less facility then those who are lately dead with the same omnipotent facility he raised Lazarus stinking in the Grave and Jairus daughter but a few hours after her death his infinite power admits not a more and a less Gates of Brass and
soul can comprehend and yet thou shalt be made capable to receive and enjoy so much as shall satisfie thee to the full and all thy spiritual desires shall be turned into delights there 2. Consider the pleasures of sin are deceitful Heb. 3.13 2. Deceitful they perform the very contrary of that they promise in the temptation they promise pleasure but bring endless and unspeakable pain if not repented they promise much gain and profit to the covetous man but bring with them in the end an irreparable loss for what availeth it a man to gain all the world and lose his own soul They promise honour and worldly applause to the ambitious man but bring along with them in the end shame and everlasting confusion Therefore in time change thy sinful wayes and set thine afrections on the pleasures above that are real and everlasting greater and sweeter will they be in our experience then now we can apprehend them by the report like exquisite delicacies and fragran odors which are best known by the tasting and smelling 3. 3. Vanishing Consider all thy worldly pleasures will vanish and perish they must end with this life riches will take the wings of the morning honour worldly is but a vapour and even thy lawful worldly pleasures are but a gliding stream that passeth away but the pleasures in heaven are for ever They shall never be exhausted neither shalt thou loath them therefore make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof but let it be thy daily study so to live here and so to dye that when thou art awaked in the day of resurrection thou mayst be satisfied with the sight of Gods face immediately after thy awaking and mayst be refreshed for ever with peace and joy flowing from that sight Object How to be assured of satisfactory pleasure in heaven But how shall I be assured of that full satisfaction in heaven Answ 1. Thou must be a mourner here for thy sins Luk. 6.21 Blessed are ye that weep now for ye shall laugh Psa 126.5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy as the harvest in order of time doth follow the seed time so shall thy joy in heaven succeed to thy sowing in tears ye have our Lords words for it Iohn 16.20 in the world ye shall be sorrowful but your sorrow shall be turned into joy as the water in Cana was turned into wine so thy tears shall be turned into eternal comfort and refreshment 2. As thou wouldst be assured of thy full satisfaction in heaven thou must hunger and thirst for righteousness here thou must have an earnest desire to do the will of God Luk. 6.21 Blessed are ye that hunger now for ye shall be filled A soul living and dying in a hatred of sin and a hunger and thirst after Christ the bread and water of life cannot perish God who worketh nothing in vain will satisfie thy supernatural appetite which is the work of his own hands if thou dye with a longing desire after Christ thou shalt rise with a full delight in Christ who in that day will satisfie thy longing soul 3. Thou must use frequent and fervent prayer unto God Ioh. 16.24 ask that your joy may be full Prayer in the name of the Mediator is the blessed Ordinance of God whereby he bestows on us here in some beginnings he earnest and the full satisfaction there the soul is lifted up to God by prayer and therefore filled with some drops of joy in this life as a vessel is holden up to the fountain and then filled Psa 86.4 rejoyce the soul of thy servant unto thee O Lord do I lift up my soul and those drops of Joy are to us an earnest of that full Joy we shall have in the immediate and full fruition of God himself the fountain of life This doctrine serveth for a ground of comfort and encouragement unto the children of God Vse 2 1. Against all thy discouragements from many sad dispensations It may be thou minglest thy drink with tears as the people of God did Psal 80. yet faint not at that which thou seest hearest or feelest rejoyce in the hope of things not seen but believed be of good courage the day is coming when thy dyet shall be changed when the Cup of salvation shall be put into thine hand and thou shalt be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Gods house and thou shalt drink of the Rivers of his pleasures Psal 36.8 those heavenly pleasures are deep like Rivers they are a part of the unsearchable riches of Christ Eph. 3.8 They are long like Rivers they are continued for ever It may be thou art disquieted with the unjust reproaches of men and mayst in thy sad experience complain as Psal 69.20 Reproach hath broken my heart and I am full of heaviness yet lift up thine heart behold the day of thy redemption draweth neer the Lord shall bring forth the righteousness of his servants as the light at noon-tyde of the day Rejoyce thou in the hope of that solemn Iustification before man and Angel by which the foul mouthes of thy violent and malicious reproachers shall be stopped for ever Then shall they be speechless and confounded with shame when they shall hear the righteous Judge absolve many persons whom they in their supercilious and Pharisaical pride pre-condemned as prophane and unrighteous Remember thou who studyest in this day of mens Judging to approve thy self to God that in Gods day the Counsels of hearts will be made manifest And thou shalt have praise of God 1 Cor. 4.5 2. 2. Want of assurance of Gods love It may be now thou art discouraged from the little assurance thou hast of the love of God and accordingly thy Peace and Joy is but little Yet be of good comfort Remember we must walk here by Faith and not by sense such a full measure of the sense of Gods love and of peace and joy as thou wouldst have is reserved for thee in the other life rejoyce in this that God hath inlarged thine heart with strong desires after that promsed satisfaction he that hath opened thy heart will fill it Psal 81.10 Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it The little of peace and joy thou receivest here is given to encrease but not to satisfie thy desires at thy dying thy desire of refreshment and satisfaction will be greatest after death thy soul will behold thy Fathers face and at thy resurrection thy soul and body will be satisfied with his likeness 3. 3. Vicissitude of peace and trouble It may be thou art discouraged from the vicissitude of peace and trouble of joy and sorrow a long night of trouble succeedeth to thy short day of peace and joy Sometime the Lord will speak peace and at another time he writes bitter things against us we may read his displeasure in sore and great tryals sometimes he sheweth his face reconciled in Christ as our Father at
in his servant David who made conscience to walk according to his knowledge Psal 119.100 I understand more then the Antients because I keep thy precepts 4. In an hour of tryal and temptation look to the promises of God who is both able and willing to sustain thee under thy greatest burthens and will not suffer thee to be tempted above that thou art able 1 Cor 10.13 we may look unto the strength of a temptation and then be humbled with a sense of our own weakness but withall let us look to God by Faith and rest upon his Almighty infinite and everlasting strength who hath promised to renew strength to all that wait upon him Isa 40.31 This Doctrine serveth for a ground of comfort to the children of God Vse 3 Comfort to the children of God discouraged with the sense of their daily out-breaking infirmities and with that want of the sensible comfort of the love of God in an hour of darkness and dissertion Here is ground of solid comfort seeing a person once accepted into favour through Christ is never therefore cast out of Gods favour daily infirmities daily bemoaned in secret before God and wrestled against may and do consist with a state of grace the Apostle speaking in the name of persons renewed saith In many things we fail all Jam. 3.2 It is true if we say we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we l ye The renewed man walketh not in sin as his way intended and delighted in but it is no less true If we lay we have no sin we deceive our selves 1 Ioh. 1.6 8. be thou humbled for thy daily infirmities wrestle against them shun all occasions of evil and the Lord will not cast thee off for disliked infirmities Mal. 3.17 I will spare them as a man that spareth his own Son that serveth him a loving Father accepteth in good part the endeavours of his willing child to serve him though there be weakness and much imperfection in the performance Our heavenly Father is full of pitty he did not reject Abraham for his distrustful fears nor Moses for his unadvised speech at Meribah nor Ionah for his bitter fit of impatience nor the Apostles for their ignorance and ambition yea consider that regenerate persons may fall into gross and scandalous sins as David and Peter therefore thou that art regenerate while thou standest look to the falls of others and work out thy salvation in fear and trembling thou who hast fallen look to their repentance and rise with them and therefore walk more circumspectly redeeming the time Obj. But how shall a soul in a time of dissertion Obj. be assured they are continued in favour and acceptance with God Answ As for dissertions we would consider 1. Answ The end of Gods disserting 2. The manner 3. The measure 4. What is our duty in that sad time of dissertion Dissertions in respect of the end are of three sorts Penal Medicinal and Probatory First God disserts wicked men out of wrath as a Judge Dissertions are either 1. Penal to punish them for their antecedent and wilful disserting of him and his holy commandments for this end God never doth dissert a justified and regenerate person because wrath was taken away in his Justification at which time God accepted him in the beloved God never hateth those he once Accepts in Jesus Christ as he ever loveth his Son so he ever loveth all the Mystical Members of his Son as he loveth the head so the Members also But God as a Judge in wrath doth dissert wicked and unrenewed men to correct them and to manifest his Justice against and hatred of them This he doth not by withdrawing saving or renewing grace from them for such they never had but by withdrawing a common restraining grace which formerly was as a strong rampant to keep their wickedness from overflowing Such was that Penal and Judicial dissertion of the Jews Act. 7.42 God turned and gave them up to worship the Host of heaven such was that dissertion of the Romans Rom. 1.24 God also gave them up to uncleanness the Lord also disserts wicked men by withdrawing a common though an eminent gift of their particular calling so Saul was disserted when the Spirit of government departed from him 1 Sam. 16.14 This is a Penal and Judicial dissertion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Secondly 2. Medicinal God disserts sometimes his own children in an hour of temptation as a Father displeased with them by withdrawing strength and his upholding Grace to the end he may chastise and humble them for some corruption not perceived or not mourned for by themselves to this end the Lord disserted Peter and did not strengthen him by a special help of grace in that hour of temptation in the High Priests hall that he might chastise and humble him for self-confidence whereof Peter took no notice before his fall This may be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Fatherly or Medicinal dissertion to purge out some latent corrupt humor and to prevent other dangerous symptoms of the body of death that dwels in us Thirdly 3. Probatory Sometimes the Lord disserts his own children in respect of sense of any present comforts to this end that he may try the Faith and patience of his own children who in the cloudy and dark day must walk by Faith and not by sense This may be called a dissertion Probatory 1 Pet. 1.7 Now for a season ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations that the tryal of your Faith being much more precious then of Gold may be found unto praise c. As the Gold-smith puts the Gold into the fire not to consume but to purge and try the same To this end was David disserted and for a time had no sense of comfort Psal 30.7 Thou didst hide thy face and I was troubled and Psal 10.1 to this end was Iob disserted in respect of comfort that his Faith and patience might be seen to the praise of Gods grace and to the good example of others Iob 7.3 and 13 14 15. and Iames will have us look to him as a pattern of patience Iam. 5.11 Ye have heard of the patience of Job Consider the manner of Gods disserting his own children The manner of Gods disserting It is not in respect of his love toward them This is founded on his eternal purpose of electing them in Christ and it is unchangeable yea it is out of love he chastiseth them Heb. 12.6.10 and also for our profit that we may be partakers of his holyness Neither is it a dissertion in respect of the life of grace for even when the children of God fail and do not act grace yet the seed remains in them 1 Ioh. 3.9 Peter fell foully yet at that time the Lord preserved the life of Faith in his soul Luc 22.32 Sathan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as Wheat but I have prayed for thee that thy Faith